Neuroprotective Effects of Different Modalities of Acupuncture on Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2014 · DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/431580 · Published: April 3, 2014

Spinal Cord Injury Alternative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the use of different types of acupuncture to help with spinal cord injuries in rats. The types of acupuncture used were electroacupuncture (EA), manual acupuncture (MA), and transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES). The study looked at how these treatments affected nerve health, inflammation, and cell death after a spinal cord injury. The researchers found that all three types of acupuncture helped to restore nerve structure and increase the number of nerve cells. Acupuncture also reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, and it prevented cell death in the injured spinal cords. Electroacupuncture (EA) at specific acupoints (Shuigou (DU26) and Fengfu (DU16)) showed the most promise in promoting nerve function recovery. This suggests that acupuncture, especially EA, could be a helpful treatment for spinal cord injuries by protecting nerves and reducing inflammation and cell death.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

110 male Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Animal study

Key Findings

1
Acupuncture (EA, MA, and TAES) restored neural morphology and increased the quantity of neurons after administration following SCI.
2
Acupuncture's antioxidation effects were demonstrated by alleviation of the post-SCI superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increase and malondialdehyde (MDA) level decrease.
3
The anti-inflammation effect of acupuncture was shown as the reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1𝛽(IL-1𝛽), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-𝛼(TNF-𝛼) when SCI was treated.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the efficacy of MA, EA, and TAES on two acupoints (DU26 and DU16) by comparing their antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and antiapoptosis effects and the reduction of apoptotic cell death of neurons, thereby leading to improved neuronal function recovery after SCI. The results showed that acupuncture, particularly EA, MA, and TAES, improved functional recovery by reducing apoptotic cell death after SCI, suggesting a neuroprotective effect. The neuroprotective effects of acupuncture modalities might be mediated by antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and antiapoptosis effects following injury, especially when stimulating DU26 and DU16 with electroacupuncture in acute spinal cord injury.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Strategy

Stimulating DU26 and DU16 acupoints, especially with electroacupuncture, could be an effective therapeutic strategy in acute spinal cord injury.

Treatment Modality

EA may be a preferable treatment modality compared to MA and TAES.

Underlying Mechanisms

Acupuncture’s neuroprotective effects may be mediated by antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and antiapoptosis effects.

Study Limitations

1
Physiological mechanisms of acupuncture are not fully understood.
2
Further studies are required to support the speculation that EA, MA, and TAES have varied treatment effects.
3
Study was conducted on rats; results may not directly translate to humans.

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