The Effects Of Electroacupuncture On Urodynamics And Spinal Cord Tissue PACAP-38 And PAC1R In Neurogenic Bladder Rats After Suprasacral Spinal Cord Injury

Objectives:Urodynamics in neurogenic bladders of rats,changes to PACAP-38 and PACI R in spinal cord tissues were observed after spinal cord injuries were treated by electroacupuncture with Ciliu(BL32),Zhongji(RN03),San Yin Jiao(SP06)and Dazhui(DU 14),to discuss the effects upon neurogenic bladders induced by electroacupuncture therapies for such injuries and potential mechanism of action.Methods:60 female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a control group and a sham group using a random number table with 12 rats in each group,while the remained rats were modelled.After model evaluation,24 successful models were randomly assigned to a model group and an electroacupuncture group at a ratio of 1:1.From the 19th day after surgical modelling,Ciliao,Zhongji,San Yin Jiao and Dazhui were chosen for the electroacupuncture group,where Zhongji and San Yin Jiao were assigned to a group,while Ciliao and Dazhui made up a group.All these acupuncture points alternated with each other.Stimulation parameters of electroacupuncture included disperse-dense waves(frequency of dense and disperse waves:50Hz vs.10Hz),needle retention for 20 minutes,once a day and 7 consecutive days.The bundling duration was the same among another three groups,which were not treated by electro-acupuncture.At the end of intervention,urodynamic tests were performed.The expressions of PACAP-38 and PACIR were detected with Western-blot by taking spinal cord tissues from injured parts.Results:1.7 days after the intervention,urodynamic tests were performed for all groups of rats.No significant difference existed between the control group and the sham group in maximum capacity,leak point pressure and bladder compliance.Compared with the sham group,the maximum capacity and the bladder compliance were lower(P?0.05)in the model group,where the leak point pressure was higher(P?0.05).The maximum capacity and the bladder compliance were higher in the electroacupuncture group than the model group,but the leak point pressure was lower(P?0.05).2.Expressions of PACAP-38 and PAClR in spinal cords of rats were tested by Western-blot.The results showed that there was no significant difference between the control group and the sham group in expressions of PACAP-38 and PAClR.Compared with the sham group,the expressions of both proteins were lower in the model group(P?0.05).Their expressions were higher in the electroacupuncture group than the model group(P?0.05).Conclusions:1.Electroacupuncture with Ciliao,Zhongji,San Yin Jiao and Dazhui can increase the maximum capacity and bladder compliance while reducing the leak point pressure,thus effectively improving functions of neurogenic bladders in rats after spinal cord injury.2.Electroacupuncture enhances functions of neurogenic bladders in rats after spinal cord injury,which might be related to increased expressions of PACAP-38 and PAC lR in spinal cord tissues in terms of mechanism.