Objective: To revea1 mechanisms of acupuncture therapy for promoting neural regeneration and renovation after injury

Methods: 144 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into acupuncture group (n=48) and control group (n=48) and normal group (n=48). Every one of these groups was evenly divided into 4 subgroups based on the time after operation. Nerve injury was produced by clamping the exposed upper pan of the branch of tibiofibular nerve with a small-size needle holder (about 5kg in pressure and 5 sec in duration). The injured nerve was about 1.5mm long. At last, the muscles and skin were sutured layer by layer. Acupuncture group: Zusanli (ST 36) and Huantiao (GB 30) were punctured and stimulated electrically for l5 min, once daily. The stimulation parameters were regular electrical pulses, 2V frequency 1Hz, pulse width 2msec. In control group, no any treatment was given to the animals after operation except the same feeding condition. Animals of the normal group received normal feeding. On the 7th, l4 th and 21 th day after operation, animals of various groups were killed for collecting nerve tissues. Histochemical staining techniques were used to detect succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), acetylcho1in esterase (AchE), acid phosphatase, and RNA contents.

Results: In comparson with control group, the pathologica1 changes of neurons of the spinal anterior horn in animals of different subgroups in acupuncture group were lighter in severity and better and earlier in restoration. After operation, SDH and AchE were weak in activity particularly 2 weeks after operation; while those indexes of acupuncture group were stronger in activity (P<0.05; 0.01). In control group, RNA got lighter, fluffy and sparse in staining and lessened in content after operation; whi1e in acupuncture group, RNA was heavier in staining, and higher in content (P<0.05; 0.01).

Conclusion: Acupuncture can significant1y promote regeneration and renovation of injured peripheral nerve.

　　Sun Zhongren, Guan yingjie, Zhao Ying & Sun Shentian.
　　Heilongjiang University of TCM, Harbin l50040, China.