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Wang S, Cheng L. The role of apoptosis in spinal cord injury: a bibliometric analysis from 1994 to 2023. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 17:1334092. [PMID: 38293650 PMCID: PMC10825042 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1334092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Apoptosis after spinal cord injury (SCI) plays a pivotal role in the secondary injury mechanisms, which cause the ultimate neurologic insults. A better understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of apoptosis in SCI allows for improved glial and neuronal survival via the administrations of anti-apoptotic biomarkers. The knowledge structure, development trends, and research hotspots of apoptosis and SCI have not yet been systematically investigated. Methods Articles and reviews on apoptosis and SCI, published from 1st January 1994 to 1st Oct 2023, were retrieved from the Web of Science™. Bibliometrix in R was used to evaluate annual publications, countries, affiliations, authors, sources, documents, key words, and hot topics. Results A total of 3,359 publications in accordance with the criterions were obtained, which exhibited an ascending trend in annual publications. The most productive countries were the USA and China. Journal of Neurotrauma was the most impactive journal; Wenzhou Medical University was the most prolific affiliation; Cuzzocrea S was the most productive and influential author. "Apoptosis," "spinal-cord-injury," "expression," "activation," and "functional recovery" were the most frequent key words. Additionally, "transplantation," "mesenchymal stemness-cells," "therapies," "activation," "regeneration," "repair," "autophagy," "exosomes," "nlrp3 inflammasome," "neuroinflammation," and "knockdown" were the latest emerging key words, which may inform the hottest themes. Conclusions Apoptosis after SCI may cause the ultimate neurological damages. Development of novel treatments for secondary SCI mainly depends on a better understanding of apoptosis-related mechanisms in molecular and cellular levels. Such therapeutic interventions involve the application of anti-apoptotic agents, free radical scavengers, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs, which can be targeted to inhibit core events in cellular and molecular injury cascades pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqiao Wang
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration (Tongji University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Liming Cheng
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration (Tongji University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Spinal and Spinal Cord Injury, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Stem Cell Translational Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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2
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Huang Y, He K, Fang D, Ni F, Qiu B, Liang K, Ma R. A bibliometric of research trends in acupuncture for spinal cord injury: Quantitative and qualitative analyses. Front Neurol 2022; 13:936744. [PMID: 36188361 PMCID: PMC9521612 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.936744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe disease of the central nervous system with a very high disability rate that seriously affects the daily life of patients. Acupuncture is one of the rehabilitation therapies that has shown significant efficacy in treating post-SCI complications such as motor disorders, neuropathic pain, and neurogenic bladder. Current studies have focused on the effectiveness and mechanisms of acupuncture for SCI, but no studies are available to analyze the bibliometrics of publications related to this area. Methods Publications related to acupuncture for SCI were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection for quantitative and qualitative analyses. The quantitative analysis was unfolded in the following six main areas: annual publications, countries, institutions, authors, sources, and keywords. The qualitative analysis section screened out publications with high annual citation rates and categorized them according to the study content. Results There were 213 relevant publications, more than half of which were journal articles. The number of publications showed a fluctuating upward trend. China and the United States were hub countries for related publications and had extensive cooperation with other countries. The most relevant author was Yuanshan Zeng from Sun Yat-sen University, China. The efficacy and mechanism of acupuncture for neuropathic pain after SCI was the first research hotspot in this field, and electroacupuncture was the most widely used technique. In the past 5 years, the mechanism of acupuncture to improve the local microenvironment of SCI and promote nerve regeneration had become a new research trend. At the same time, acupuncture had been gradually applied to various complications after SCI and in veterinary medicine. Conclusion The findings suggest that research on acupuncture for SCI is still flourishing, and more research on electroacupuncture for promoting nerve repair and regeneration after SCI will be available in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kelin He
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhongshan Hospital of Zhejiang Province), Hangzhou, China
| | - Dandan Fang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fengjia Ni
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bei Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kang Liang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhongshan Hospital of Zhejiang Province), Hangzhou, China
| | - Ruijie Ma
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, The Third School of Clinical Medicine (School of Rehabilitation Medicine), Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhongshan Hospital of Zhejiang Province), Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Ruijie Ma
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Jiang K, Sun Y, Chen X. Mechanism Underlying Acupuncture Therapy in Spinal Cord Injury: A Narrative Overview of Preclinical Studies. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:875103. [PMID: 35462893 PMCID: PMC9021644 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.875103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results from various pathogenic factors that destroy the normal structure and function of the spinal cord, subsequently causing sensory, motor, and autonomic nerve dysfunction. SCI is one of the most common causes of disability and death globally. It leads to severe physical and mental injury to patients and causes a substantial economic burden on families and the society. The pathological changes and underlying mechanisms within SCI involve oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, etc. As a traditional therapy, acupuncture has a positive effect promoting the recovery of SCI. Acupuncture-induced neuroprotection includes several mechanisms such as reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting the inflammatory response and neuronal apoptosis, alleviating glial scar formation, promoting neural stem cell differentiation, and improving microcirculation within the injured area. Therefore, the recent studies exploring the mechanism of acupuncture therapy in SCI will help provide a theoretical basis for applying acupuncture and seeking a better treatment target and acupuncture approach for SCI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunpeng Jiang
- Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, Zhejiang Rongjun Hospital, Jiaxing, China
| | - Yulin Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Rongjun Hospital, Jiaxing, China
| | - Xinle Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Rongjun Hospital, Jiaxing, China
- *Correspondence: Xinle Chen,
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4
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The mechanism of AMPA receptor subunit GluR1 in electroacupuncture treatment of acute spinal cord injury in rats. Brain Res 2022; 1783:147848. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2022.147848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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5
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Wang L, Xu B, Sun S, Wang B. Overexpression of long non-coding RNA H19 relieves hypoxia-induced injury by down-regulating microRNA-107 in neural stem cells. Neurosci Lett 2021; 753:135855. [PMID: 33785379 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) is one of the commonest conditions which seriously influences the development of infants' nervous system and causes series of neurological sequelaes. The aim of the present study was to analyze the potential regulatory mechanism of long non-coding (lnc) RNA H19 under hypoxia conditions. METHODS Neural stem cells (NSCs) were incubated in hypoxic conditions for 8 h to induce hypoxia injury. qRT-PCR was performed to detect H19 or micro (miR)-107 expression. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay were employed to detect the effects of hypoxia on cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. Moreover, NSCs were transfected with H19 overexpressing plasmid or shRNA-H19 and then subjected to hypoxia treatment. The effects of H19/miR-107 on NSC cell biological behaviors were confirmed. Furthermore, the signaling pathways involved in HI were analyzed using western blot. RESULTS Hypoxia treatment restrained cell viability and induced cell apoptosis in NSCs. Overexpression of lncRNA H19 attenuated hypoxia-induced NSCs injury, while knockdown of lncRNA H19 aggravated NSCs injury. Further experiments suggested that miR-107 up-regulation reversed the effects of lncRNA H19 overexpression on NSCs. Moreover, the activation of Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/AKT pathways triggered by H19 were reversed by miR-107 up-regulation in hypoxia-treated NSCs. CONCLUSION LncRNA H19 overexpression attenuated hypoxia-induced NSCs injury and promoted activation of Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/AKT pathways through downregulating miR-107.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Liaocheng Second People's Hospital, The Second Hospital of Liaocheng Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Liaocheng, 252600, Shandong, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Liaocheng Second People's Hospital, The Second Hospital of Liaocheng Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Liaocheng, 252600, Shandong, China
| | - Shuying Sun
- Department of Cardiology, Liaocheng Second People's Hospital, The Second Hospital of Liaocheng Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Liaocheng, 252600, Shandong, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Children Rehabilitation, Liaocheng Second People's Hospital, The Second Hospital of Liaocheng Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Liaocheng, 252600, Shandong, China.
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6
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Yu CC, Du YJ, Wang SQ, Liu LB, Shen F, Wang L, Lin YF, Kong LH. Experimental Evidence of the Benefits of Acupuncture for Alzheimer's Disease: An Updated Review. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:549772. [PMID: 33408601 PMCID: PMC7779610 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.549772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
As the global population ages, the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is also increasing. At present, there are no widely recognized drugs able to ameliorate the cognitive dysfunction caused by AD. The failure of several promising clinical trials in recent years has highlighted the urgent need for novel strategies to both prevent and treat AD. Notably, a growing body of literature supports the efficacy of acupuncture for AD. In this review, we summarize the previously reported mechanisms of acupuncture's beneficial effects in AD, including the ability of acupuncture to modulate Aβ metabolism, tau phosphorylation, neurotransmitters, neurogenesis, synapse and neuron function, autophagy, neuronal apoptosis, neuroinflammation, cerebral glucose metabolism, and brain responses. Taken together, these findings suggest that acupuncture provides therapeutic effects for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Chao Yu
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,The Fourth Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan-Jun Du
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Shu-Qin Wang
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,The Fourth Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Le-Bin Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Rongjun Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Feng Shen
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Wang
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan-Fang Lin
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,The Fourth Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li-Hong Kong
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
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7
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EA Improves the Motor Function in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury by Inhibiting Signal Transduction of Semaphorin3A and Upregulating of the Peripheral Nerve Networks. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:8859672. [PMID: 33273908 PMCID: PMC7700027 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8859672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve networks (PNNs) play a vital role in the neural recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Electroacupuncture (EA), as an alternative medicine, has been widely used in SCI and was proven to be effective on neural functional recovery. In this study, the interaction between PNNs and semaphrin3A (Sema3A) in the recovery of the motor function after SCI was observed, and the effect of EA on them was evaluated. After the establishment of the SCI animal model, we found that motor neurons in the ventral horn of the injured spinal cord segment decreased, Nissl bodies were blurry, and PNNs and Sema3A as well as its receptor neuropilin1 (NRP1) aggregated around the central tube of the gray matter of the spinal cord. When we knocked down the expression of Sema3A at the damage site, NRP1 also downregulated, importantly, PNNs concentration decreased, and tenascin-R (TN-R) and aggrecan were also reduced, while the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) motor function score dramatically increased. In addition, when conducting EA stimulation on Jiaji (EX-B2) acupoints, the highly upregulated Sema3A and NRP1 were reversed post-SCI, which can lessen the accumulation of PNNs around the central tube of the spinal cord gray matter, and simultaneously promote the recovery of motor function in rats. These results suggest that EA may further affect the plasticity of PNNs by regulating the Sema3A signal and promoting the recovery of the motor function post-SCI.
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8
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Effects and Mechanisms of Acupuncture Combined with Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation on Neural Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury: Progress and Prospects. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:8890655. [PMID: 33061954 PMCID: PMC7533022 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8890655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a structural event with devastating consequences worldwide. Due to the limited intrinsic regenerative capacity of the spinal cord in adults, the neural restoration after SCI is difficult. Acupuncture is effective for SCI-induced neurologic deficits, and the potential mechanisms responsible for its effects involve neural protection by the inhibition of inflammation, oxidation, and apoptosis. Moreover, acupuncture promotes neural regeneration and axon sprouting by activating multiple cellular signal transduction pathways, such as the Wnt, Notch, and Rho/Rho kinase (ROCK) pathways. Several studies have demonstrated that the efficacy of combining acupuncture with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation is superior to either procedure alone. The advantage of the combined treatment is dependent on the ability of acupuncture to enhance the survival of MSCs, promote their differentiation into neurons, and facilitate targeted migration of MSCs to the spinal cord. Additionally, the differentiation of MSCs into neurons overcomes the problem of the shortage of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) in the acupuncture-treated SCI patients. Therefore, the combination of acupuncture and MSCs transplantation could become a novel and effective strategy for the treatment of SCI. Such a possibility needs to be verified by basic and clinical research.
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9
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Abbaszadeh F, Fakhri S, Khan H. Targeting apoptosis and autophagy following spinal cord injury: Therapeutic approaches to polyphenols and candidate phytochemicals. Pharmacol Res 2020; 160:105069. [PMID: 32652198 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a neurological disorder associated with the loss of sensory and motor function. Understanding the precise dysregulated signaling pathways, especially apoptosis and autophagy following SCI, is of vital importance in developing innovative therapeutic targets and treatments. The present study lies in the fact that it reveals the precise dysregulated signaling mediators of apoptotic and autophagic pathways following SCI and also examines the effects of polyphenols and other candidate phytochemicals. It provides new insights to develop new treatments for post-SCI complications. Accordingly, a comprehensive review was conducted using electronic databases including, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Medline, along with the authors' expertise in apoptosis and autophagy as well as their knowledge about the effects of polyphenols and other phytochemicals on SCI pathogenesis. The primary mechanical injury to spinal cord is followed by a secondary cascade of apoptosis and autophagy that play critical roles during SCI. In terms of pharmacological mechanisms, caspases, Bax/Bcl-2, TNF-α, and JAK/STAT in apoptosis along with LC3 and Beclin-1 in autophagy have shown a close interconnection with the inflammatory pathways mainly glutamatergic, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, ERK/MAPK, and other cross-linked mediators. Besides, apoptotic pathways have been shown to regulate autophagy mediators and vice versa. Prevailing evidence has highlighted the importance of modulating these signaling mediators/pathways by polyphenols and other candidate phytochemicals post-SCI. The present review provides dysregulated signaling mediators and therapeutic targets of apoptotic and autophagic pathways following SCI, focusing on the modulatory effects of polyphenols and other potential phytochemical candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Abbaszadeh
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Neurobiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sajad Fakhri
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah 6734667149, Iran.
| | - Haroon Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, 23200, Pakistan.
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10
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Jin H, Zhang YT, Yang Y, Wen LY, Wang JH, Xu HY, Lai BQ, Feng B, Che MT, Qiu XC, Li ZL, Wang LJ, Ruan JW, Jiang B, Zeng X, Deng QW, Li G, Ding Y, Zeng YS. Electroacupuncture Facilitates the Integration of Neural Stem Cell-Derived Neural Network with Transected Rat Spinal Cord. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 12:274-289. [PMID: 30661994 PMCID: PMC6373172 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The hostile environment of an injured spinal cord makes it challenging to achieve higher viability in a grafted tissue-engineered neural network used to reconstruct the spinal cord circuit. Here, we investigate whether cell survival and synaptic transmission within an NT-3 and TRKC gene-overexpressing neural stem cell-derived neural network scaffold (NN) transplanted into transected spinal cord could be promoted by electroacupuncture (EA) through improving the microenvironment. Our results showed that EA facilitated the cell survival, neuronal differentiation, and synapse formation of a transplanted NN. Pseudorabies virus tracing demonstrated that EA strengthened synaptic integration of the transplanted NN with the host neural circuit. The combination therapy also promoted axonal regeneration, spinal conductivity, and functional recovery. The findings highlight EA as a potential and safe supplementary therapeutic strategy to reinforce the survival and synaptogenesis of a transplanted NN as a neuronal relay to bridge the two severed ends of an injured spinal cord. EA promotes the survival and synapse formation of NSC-derived neurons in grafted NN EA strengthens synaptic integration of grafted NN with the spinal cord neural circuit EA enhances NT-3 level and activates NT-3/TRKC/AKT pathway in the injury/graft site The combination therapy increases axonal regeneration and spinal functional recovery
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Jin
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yu-Ting Zhang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine of Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shunde, Guangdong 528300, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Lan-Yu Wen
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jun-Hua Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Hao-Yu Xu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Bi-Qin Lai
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Bo Feng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ming-Tian Che
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xue-Cheng Qiu
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zhi-Ling Li
- Department of Acupuncture, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Lai-Jian Wang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jing-Wen Ruan
- Department of Acupuncture, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiang Zeng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Qing-Wen Deng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ge Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ying Ding
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Yuan-Shan Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; Institute of Spinal Cord Injury, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
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11
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Zhang X, Liu CB, Yang DG, Qin C, Dong XC, Li DP, Zhang C, Guo Y, Du LJ, Gao F, Yang ML, Li JJ. Dynamic changes in intramedullary pressure 72 hours after spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2019; 14:886-895. [PMID: 30688275 PMCID: PMC6375044 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.249237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Intramedullary pressure increases after spinal cord injury, and this can be an important factor for secondary spinal cord injury. Until now there have been no studies of the dynamic changes of intramedullary pressure after spinal cord injury. In this study, telemetry systems were used to observe changes in intramedullary pressure in the 72 hours following spinal cord injury to explore its pathological mechanisms. Spinal cord injury was induced using an aneurysm clip at T10 of the spinal cord of 30 Japanese white rabbits, while another 32 animals were only subjected to laminectomy. The feasibility of this measurement was assessed. Intramedullary pressure was monitored in anesthetized and conscious animals. The dynamic changes of intramedullary pressure after spinal cord injury were divided into three stages: stage I (steep rise) 1–7 hours, stage II (steady rise) 8–38 hours, and stage III (descending) 39–72 hours. Blood-spinal barrier permeability, edema, hemorrhage, and histological results in the 72 hours following spinal cord injury were evaluated according to intramedullary pressure changes. We found that spinal cord hemorrhage was most severe at 1 hour post-spinal cord injury and then gradually decreased; albumin and aquaporin 4 immunoreactivities first increased and then decreased, peaking at 38 hours. These results confirm that severe bleeding in spinal cord tissue is the main cause of the sharp increase in intramedullary pressure in early spinal cord injury. Spinal cord edema and blood-spinal barrier destruction are important factors influencing intramedullary pressure in stages II and III of spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; Department of Spinal and Neural Function Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Chang-Bin Liu
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; Department of Spinal and Neural Function Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - De-Gang Yang
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; Department of Spinal and Neural Function Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Chuan Qin
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; Department of Spinal and Neural Function Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Chao Dong
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; Department of Spinal and Neural Function Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Da-Peng Li
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; Department of Spinal and Neural Function Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; Department of Spinal and Neural Function Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Guo
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; Department of Spinal and Neural Function Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Liang-Jie Du
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; Department of Spinal and Neural Function Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Gao
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; Department of Spinal and Neural Function Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Ming-Liang Yang
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; Department of Spinal and Neural Function Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Jun Li
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Capital Medical University; Department of Spinal and Neural Function Reconstruction, China Rehabilitation Research Center; Center of Neural Injury and Repair, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders; China Rehabilitation Science Institute; Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Injury and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China
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12
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Gao YL, Zhang Y, Cao JP, Wu SB, Cai XH, Zhang YC, Zhang RJ, Song XG, Zhang LD. Regulation of the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response and Neuroprotective Effects of Acupuncture on Brain Injury Caused by Heroin Addiction. Acupunct Med 2018; 35:366-373. [DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2016-011220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Objectives To evaluate regulation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) response by acupuncture and to investigate its neuroprotective effect on brain injury caused by heroin addiction. Methods A total of 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a healthy control group (Control), an untreated heroin exposed group (Heroin) and a heroin exposed group receiving electroacupuncture (EA) treatment at GV14 and GV20 (Heroin+acupuncture) with n=16 rats per group. A rat model of heroin addiction was established by intramuscular injection of incremental doses of heroin for 8 consecutive days. A rat model of heroin relapse was established according to the exposure (addiction) → detoxification method. Apoptotic changes in nerve cells in the hippocampus and ventral tegmental area (VTA) were evaluated in each group of rats using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay. PERK, eIF2a, CHOP, IRE1 and JNK gene expression and protein expression were measured using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) assay and immunohistochemical assay, respectively. Results The total number of positive nerve cells in the hippocampus and VTA was significantly lower in the Heroin+acupuncture group than in the Heroin group (p<0.01). Compared with the Heroin group, mRNA and protein expression of PERK, eIF2a, CHOP, IRE1 and JNK in the hippocampus and VTA were significantly downregulated in the Heroin+acupuncture group (p<0.05). Conclusion The acupuncture-regulated ERS response appears to mediate the neuroprotective effect of acupuncture in heroin-addicted rats with brain injury. Inhibition of CHOP and JNK upregulation and reduction of nerve cell apoptosis may be the main mechanisms underlying the effects of acupuncture on heroin addiction-induced brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Long Gao
- Clinical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Orthopedic, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jiang-Peng Cao
- Clinical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Orthopedic, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Sheng-Bing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Xin’ an Medicine Constructed by Anhui Province and Chinese Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xing-Hui Cai
- Clinical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Orthopedic, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yan-Chun Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Rong-Jun Zhang
- Clinical College of Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xiao-Ge Song
- Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Li-Da Zhang
- Clinical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Orthopedic, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
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13
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Cai W, Shen WD. Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms of Acupuncture in Neurological Diseases: A Review. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2018; 46:515-535. [PMID: 29595076 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x1850026x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Apoptosis, known as programmed cell death, plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases. Most of these diseases can be obviously alleviated by means of acupuncture treatment. Current research studies have shown that the efficacy of acupuncture to these medical conditions is closely associated with the anti-apoptotic potentials. Mainly based on the acupuncture's anti-apoptotic efficacy in prevalent neurological disorders, including cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, Alzheimer's disease, depression or stress related-modes, spinal cord injuries, etc., this review comes to a conclusion that the anti-apoptotic effect of acupuncture treatment for neurological diseases, evidently reflected through Bcl-2, Bax or caspase expression change, results from regulating mitochondrial or autophagic dysfunction as well as reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. The possible mechanisms of acupuncture's anti-apoptotic effect are associated with a series of downstream signaling pathways and the up-regulated expression of neurotrophic factors. It is of great importance to illuminate the exact mechanisms of acupuncture treatment for neurological dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wa Cai
- 1 Department of Acupuncture, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Wei-Dong Shen
- 1 Department of Acupuncture, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, P. R. China
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14
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Wei Z, Zhao W, Schachner M. Electroacupuncture Restores Locomotor Functions After Mouse Spinal Cord Injury in Correlation With Reduction of PTEN and p53 Expression. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:411. [PMID: 30505267 PMCID: PMC6250832 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: We previously showed that electroacupuncture (EA) at Jiaji points promotes expression of adhesion molecule L1 in spinal cord tissue after mouse spinal cord injury (SCI) and contributes to recovery of neural functions. Objective: We investigated the effects of EA on downstream signaling molecules of L1 and molecules relevant to apoptosis with the aim to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: Female C57BL/6 mice were divided into a sham group, injury group, injury+acupuncture (AP) group and injury+EA group. We investigated the changes in cognate L1-triggered signaling molecules after SCI by immunofluorescence staining and immunoblot analysis. Results: Protein levels of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and p53 were decreased by EA at different time points after injury, whereas the levels of phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (pmTOR), p-Akt and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulatedkinase (p-Erk) were increased. Also, levels of myelin basic protein (MBP) were increased by EA. AP alone showed less pronounced changes in expression of the investigated molecules, when compared to EA. Conclusion: We propose that EA contributes to neuroprotection by inhibiting PTEN and p53 expression and by increasing the levels of pmTOR/Akt/Erk and of MBP after SCI. These observations allow novel insights into the beneficial effects of EA via L1-triggered signaling molecules after injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Wei
- Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Lishui University, Lishui, China
| | - Weijiang Zhao
- Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Melitta Schachner
- Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States
- *Correspondence: Melitta Schachner
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15
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Luo D, Chen R, Liang FX. Modulation of Acupuncture on Cell Apoptosis and Autophagy. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2017; 2017:8268736. [PMID: 29279719 PMCID: PMC5723958 DOI: 10.1155/2017/8268736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Acupuncture has been historically practiced to treat medical disorders by mechanically stimulating specific acupoints. Despite its well-documented efficacy, its biological basis largely remains elusive. Recent studies suggested that cell apoptosis and autophagy might play key roles in acupuncture therapy. Therefore, we searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), aiming to find the potential relationship between acupuncture and cell apoptosis and autophagy. To provide readers with objective evidence, some problems regarding the design method, acupoints selection, acupuncture intervention measure, and related diseases existing in 40 related researches were shown in this review. These findings demonstrated that acupuncture has a potential role in modulating cell apoptosis and autophagy in animal models, suggesting it as a candidate mechanism in acupuncture therapy to maintain physiologic homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Luo
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Street, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Street, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China
| | - Feng-xia Liang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1 Tanhualin Street, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
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16
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Tail Nerve Electrical Stimulation and Electro-Acupuncture Can Protect Spinal Motor Neurons and Alleviate Muscle Atrophy after Spinal Cord Transection in Rats. Neural Plast 2017; 2017:7351238. [PMID: 28744378 PMCID: PMC5506460 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7351238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in death of spinal neurons and atrophy of muscles which they govern. Thus, following SCI, reorganizing the lumbar spinal sensorimotor pathways is crucial to alleviate muscle atrophy. Tail nerve electrical stimulation (TANES) has been shown to activate the central pattern generator (CPG) and improve the locomotion recovery of spinal contused rats. Electroacupuncture (EA) is a traditional Chinese medical practice which has been proven to have a neural protective effect. Here, we examined the effects of TANES and EA on lumbar motor neurons and hindlimb muscle in spinal transected rats, respectively. From the third day postsurgery, rats in the TANES group were treated 5 times a week and those in the EA group were treated once every other day. Four weeks later, both TANES and EA showed a significant impact in promoting survival of lumbar motor neurons and expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and ameliorating atrophy of hindlimb muscle after SCI. Meanwhile, the expression of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in the same spinal cord segment was significantly increased. These findings suggest that TANES and EA can augment the expression of NT-3 in the lumbar spinal cord that appears to protect the motor neurons as well as alleviate muscle atrophy.
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17
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Wu C, Li C, Zhou G, Yang L, Jiang G, Chen J, Li Q, Zhan Z, Xu X, Zhang X. Effects of electroacupuncture on the cortical extracellular signal regulated kinase pathway in rats with cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion. Acupunct Med 2017. [PMID: 28624772 DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2016-011121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase (p-ERK) pathway of the cerebral cortex in a rat model of focal cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R). METHODS 160 adult Sprague-Dawley rats underwent middle carotid artery occlusion (MCAO) to establish I/R injury and were randomly divided into four groups (n=40 each) that remained untreated (I/R group) or received EA at LU5, LI4, ST36 and SP6 (I/R+EA group), the ERK inhibitor PD98059 (I/R+PD group), or both interventions (I/R+PD+EA groups). An additional 40 rats undergoing sham surgery formed a healthy control group. Eight rats from each group were sacrificed at the following time points: 2 hours, 6 hours, 1 day, 3 days and 1 week. Neurological function was assessed using neurological deficit scores, morphological examination was performed following haematoxylin-eosin staining of cortical tissues, and apoptotic indices were calculated after terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated biotin-16-dUTP nick-end labelling. Cortical protein and mRNA expression of p-ERK and ERK were measured by immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. RESULTS Compared with the I/R group, neurological deficit scores and apoptotic indices were lower in the I/R+EA group at 1 and 3 days, whereas mRNA/protein expression of ERK/p-ERK was higher in the EA group at all time points studied. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that EA can alleviate neurological deficits and reduce cortical apoptosis in rats with I/R injury. These anti-apoptotic effects may be due to upregulation of p-ERK. Moreover, apoptosis appeared to peak at 1 day after I/R injury, which might therefore represent the optimal time point for targeting of EA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Wu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chun Li
- School of Acupuncture & Moxibustion and Tui-na, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Guoping Zhou
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Traditional Chinese Medicine-Integrated Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lu Yang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Traditional Chinese Medicine-Integrated Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Guimei Jiang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jing Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Qiushi Li
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhulian Zhan
- Traditional Chinese Medicine-Integrated Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiuhong Xu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine-Integrated Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- School of Acupuncture & Moxibustion and Tui-na, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
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18
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Zhao J, Wang L, Li Y. Electroacupuncture Alleviates the Inflammatory Response via Effects on M1 and M2 Macrophages after Spinal Cord Injury. Acupunct Med 2017; 35:224-230. [PMID: 28077367 DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2016-011107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Background Macrophages/microglia are important effector cells at the site of spinal cord injury (SCI). M1-type macrophages facilitate innate immunity to remove foreign microbes and wound debris from the injury site. M2-type macrophages exhibit tissue repair properties and attenuate production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Regulation of the polarisation of M1/M2 macrophages may affect the inflammatory response in SCI and may be related to neurotrophin-3 (NT-3). Electroacupuncture (EA) at GV acupuncture points can be used as an adjuvant therapy for SCI. Aim To investigate the effects of EA on Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) functional evaluation and inflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-10), and on the proportions of M1/M2 macrophages, and to provide a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying the potential clinical treatment of SCI. Methods A rat SCI model was induced by spinal segment transection at T10 in 16 Sprague-Dawley rats. A further eight rats were included as a Control group. Ten surviving SCI model rats were divided into two groups (n=5 each): an SCI group that remained untreated; and an SCI+EA group that received EA at GV6 and GV9. Results EA improved BBB scores, inhibited the proportion of M1 macrophages and TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels, and downregulated the M1 marker CD86. By contrast, EA enhanced IL-10, the proportion of M2 macrophages and upregulated the M2 marker CD206 and NT-3 expression. Conclusions EA had a positive impact on SCI model rats. This may be related to the neuroprotective effect of NT-3, which may increase the polarisation of M2 microglia/macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiagui Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Likui Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yuanhai Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
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19
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The regulatory effect of electro-acupuncture on the expression of NMDA receptors in a SCI rat model. Life Sci 2017; 177:8-14. [PMID: 28392262 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In early spinal cord injury (SCI), glutamate receptors, including N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDARs), are over-stimulated by excessively released glutamate. The enhanced activity of NMDARs may cause cell death by overloading calcium (Ca2+) into cells based on their high permeability to Ca2+. Studies in SCI animals have shown that treatment with electro-acupuncture (EA) is able to reduce cell death and to improve functional recovery. One possible mechanism of this neuroprotective effect is that EA has regulatory effect on NMDARs. AIMS To test whether EA could protect the spinal cord after SCI by decreasing the expression levels of NR1 and NR2A. MAIN METHODS We conducted EA treatment on a rat SCI model produced with a New York University (NYU) Impactor and measured hindlimb locomotor function by Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan Locomotor Rating Scale (BBB Scale). The expression of NR1 and NR2, the subunits of NMDARs, in the injured spinal cord was measured by Immunofluorescence stainings, western blot and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). KEY FINDING Our results showed that two days after the SCI the expression of NR1 and NR2 were dramatically enhanced at both protein and mNRA levels, which were significantly reduced by EA treatment at two specific acupoints, Dazhui (DU14) and Mingmen (DU4). SIGNIFICANCE EA is a potential therapeutic method for treating early SCI in human.
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20
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Fang B, Qin M, Li Y, Li X, Tan W, Zhang Y, Ma H. Electroacupuncture preconditioning and postconditioning inhibit apoptosis and neuroinflammation induced by spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury through enhancing autophagy in rats. Neurosci Lett 2017; 642:136-141. [PMID: 28188848 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2016] [Revised: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) has beneficial effects on spinal cord ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of autophagy in the protection of EA preconditioning and postconditioning against spinal cord I/R injury. For this, spinal cord I/R injury was induced by 14min occlusion of the aortic arch, and rats were treated with EA for 20min before or after the surgery. The expression of autophagy components, light chain 3 and Beclin 1, was assessed by Western blot. The hind-limb motor function was assessed using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) criteria, and motor neurons in the ventral gray matter were counted by histological examination. The apoptosis of neurocyte was assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was also measured using Western blot or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Either EA preconditioning or postconditioning enhanced autophagy, and minimized the neuromotor dysfunction and histopathological deficits after spinal cord I/R injury. In addition, EA suppressed I/R-induced apoptosis and increased in the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MMP-9. In contrast, the autophagic inhibitor (3-methyladenine, 3-MA) inhibited the neuroprotective effects of EA. Moreover, 3-MA increased the apoptosis and the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MMP-9. In summary, these findings suggested that EA preconditioning and postconditioning could alleviate spinal cord I/R injury, which was partly mediated by autophagy upregulation-induced inhibition of apoptosis and neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Fang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, North Nanjing Street, No. 155, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.
| | - Meiman Qin
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, North Nanjing Street, No. 155, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, North Nanjing Street, No. 155, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Xiaoqian Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, North Nanjing Street, No. 155, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Wenfei Tan
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, North Nanjing Street, No. 155, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, North Nanjing Street, No. 155, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Hong Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, North Nanjing Street, No. 155, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
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21
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Jin XL, Li PF, Zhang CB, Wu JP, Feng XL, Zhang Y, Shen MH. Electroacupuncture alleviates cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury via modulation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Neural Regen Res 2016; 11:1090-8. [PMID: 27630691 PMCID: PMC4994450 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.187041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions, but whether the neuroprotective effect of EA against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury involves modulation of the extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway is unclear. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats for 2 hours followed by reperfusion for 24 hours. A 30-minute period of EA stimulation was applied to both Baihui (DU20) and Dazhui (DU14) acupoints in each rat (10 mm EA penetration depth, continuous wave with a frequency of 3 Hz, and a current intensity of 1-3 mA) when reperfusion was initiated. EA significantly reduced infarct volume, alleviated neuronal injury, and improved neurological function in rats with MCAO. Furthermore, high mRNA expression of Bax and low mRNA expression of Bcl-2 induced by MCAO was prevented by EA. EA substantially restored total glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels. Additionally, Nrf2 and glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS) expression levels were markedly increased by EA. Interestingly, the neuroprotective effects of EA were attenuated when ERK1/2 activity was blocked by PD98059 (a specific MEK inhibitor). Collectively, our findings indicate that activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway contributes to the neuroprotective effects of EA. Our study provides a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effectiveness of EA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lu Jin
- Second Clinical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Peng-Fei Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chun-Bing Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; College of Basic Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jin-Ping Wu
- College of Basic Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xi-Lian Feng
- Second Clinical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Second Clinical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Mei-Hong Shen
- Second Clinical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
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