Journal of Spine

Protective Effect of Electro-Acupuncture on Neural Myelin Sheaths Mediated through Activation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor after Compressed Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Rui Gong, Shanquan Sun, Qi Zhao, Yuan Zhong, Haijun Yu, Lan Ma, Shiye Xu, Wei Zhang, Kejie Mou and Jun Xue

Electro acupuncture has been widely used to treat demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), acute haemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHLE), compressed spinal cord injury (CSCI). However, the protective effect of electro acupuncture (EA) on neural myelin sheaths remains controversy attributed to the dimness of its therapeutic mechanism. In this study, we tried to explore the protective mechanism of EA in a custom-designed model of CSCI. Zusanli (ST36) and Huantiao (GB30) acupoints were stimulated by EA. The motor functions were monitored by Basso, Beattie and Bresnahanloco motor rating scale. The pathological changes in axonal myelinated fibers were estimated by luxol fast blue (LFB) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (Olig2), caspase-3 and phosphorylated Akt1 (pAkt1) were detected by immunofluorescence and western blot assays. After 7-day treatment of EA, the expression of p-EGFR, pAkt1 and Olig2 was significantly up-regulated which was consistent with changes of locomotor skill and ultrastructure of myelin sheath. By contrast, the expression of active caspase-3 was obviously down-regulated. Our results indicated that the protective effect of EA on neural myelin sheaths might be mediated via activation of EGFR after CSCI.