title: Effects of Zusanli and Ashi Acupoint Electroacupuncture on Repair of Skeletal Muscle and Neuromuscular Junction in a Rabbit Gastrocnemius Contusion Model.
abstract: Objective. To explore the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36 (EA-ST36) and at Ashi acupoints (EA-Ashi) on skeletal muscle repair. Methods. Seventy-five rabbits were randomly divided into five groups: normal, contusion, EA-Ashi, EA-ST36, and EA at Ashi acupoints and ST36 (EA-AS). EA (0.4 mA, 2 Hz, 15 min) was applied after an acute gastrocnemius contusion. The morphology of myofibers and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) and expressions of growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Neuregulin 1 (NGR1), and muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) were assessed 7, 14, and 28 days after contusion. Results. Compared with that in contusion group, there was an increase in the following respective parameters in treatment groups: the number and diameter of myofibers, the mean staining area, and continuities of NMJs. A comparison of EA-Ashi and EA-ST36 groups indicated that average myofiber diameter, mean staining area of NMJs, and expressions of AChE and NRG1 were higher in EA-Ashi group, whereas expression of GDF-8 decreased on day 7. However, increases in myofiber numbers, expressions of MuSK and AChE, as well as decreases in GDF-8 expression, and the discontinuities were observed in EA-ST36 group on the 28th day. Conclusion. Both EA-ST36 and EA-Ashi promoted myofiber regeneration and restoration of NMJs. EA-Ashi was more effective at earlier stages, whereas EA-ST36 played a more important role at later stages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Zhan-Ge
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Rong-Guo
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: School of Basic Medical Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Jun-Yun
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Tuina, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100078, China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Shou-Yao
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Northern Hospital, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Qian-Wei
authors.initials: QW
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Graduate School, Peking University of Health Science Center, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Qing-Xi
authors.initials: QX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Yun-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Wang