The Analysis Of The Differential Gene Expression In Acupuncture Promoting The Spinal Plasticity

Objective: To explore the differential gene expression in spinal cord with a microarray following acupuncture promoting the spinal plasticity.Methods: Nine SD rats were used. L1-4 and L6 dorsal roots and their associated ganglia were bilaterally sectioned, and L5 dorsal roots and associated ganglia were spared. Electro-needling was performed at two sets (Zusanli-xuanzhong and futu-sanyinjiao) of acupoints on the left hind limb. The needling was performed for 30 minutes at the two sets of acupoints alternatively everyday following rhizotomy until the tissue preparation (one day, one week and two weeks). Microarray with 27,000 genes was applied to explore the differential genes in spinal cord of acupuncture in promoting the spinal plasticity at three different phases.Results: Microarray data displayed that the numbers of up-regulated genes were respectively 15, 40 and 21 at 1day post acupuncture (dpa), 7 dpa and 14 dpa. And the down-regulated genes appear 4, 70 and 4 points respectively on the different phase.Conclusion: The mechanism of acupuncture promoting spinal plasticity relates simultaneously to multiple genes and presents a time-dependent tendency.