[Effects of electroacupuncture on laminin expression after spinal cord injury in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on laminin (LN) expression related to the nerve fibers regeneration and development in the microenvironment after rats' spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
The SCI model of rats was established by the modified Allen's method to injure the 12th thoracic vertebra of animal. Experimental rats were divided into 4 groups, the sham group (no SCI and treatment), control group (with SCI and no treatment), hormone group (with SCI and dexamethasone) and EA group (with SCI and EA). LN expression was assessed by Western Blot assay at various time points, week 1, 2 and 4.


RESULTS
The LN expression in EA group increased significantly at week 1, and remained constantly at week 2-4 with a tendency of gradually increasing. The LN expression in the hormone group elevated with obvious expression at week 2, and remained constantly also, with its expression up-regulated at week 2-4. The LN expression presented in both the EA group and the hormone group earlier than that in the control group, and the level of LN expression of EA group was higher than that in other two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
EA could promote the production and secretion of LN expression, so it may have active beneficial leading effects on potentially regeneration capacity of the central nervous system.
Zhu
Zheng
Z
Physiology Department, Medical College, Qingdao University, Shangdong 266021.
D000818:Animals; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D007797:Laminin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology
D007797:Laminin