[Effect of electroacupuncture at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) points combined with nerve mobilization on motor function and mRNA and protein expression of RhoA in rabbits with sciatic nerve injury].

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) points combined with nerve mobilization on protein and mRNA expression of RhoA in rabbits with sciatic nerve injury, and to provide theoretical basis for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury by EA at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) points combined with nerve mobilization.

Methods: A total of 180 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model control group, a nerve mobilization group, an EA group, an EA plus nerve mobilization group, 36 rabbits in each group. Each group was further divided into a 1-week subgroup, 2-week subgroup and 4-week subgroup, 12 rabbits in each subgroup. The sciatic nerve injury model was made by clamping method. The rabbits in the normal control group did not receive any intervention. The rabbits in the model control group was normally fed after operation. The rabbits in the nerve mobilization group were treated with nerve mobilization; the manipulation lasted for 1 s and relaxed for 5 s, 10 times per day, 6 days per week. The rabbits in the EA group were treated with EA at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) points (L-L), once a day, 30 min each time, 6 times per week. The rabbits in the EA plus nerve mobilization group were treated with EA at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) points, followed by nerve mobilization. The function of sciatic nerve on the injured side was evaluated by toe tension reflex and modified Tarlov score; the tissues of corresponding segments of spinal cord L-L and sciatic nerve were taken; the expression of RhoA gene was detected by real-time PCR and the expression of RhoA protein was detected by Western Blot.

Results: ① Toe tension reflex and modified Tarlov score: at 1, 2 and 4 weeks, the scores in the model control group were lower than those in the normal control group (all <0.01). The scores in the subgroup of nerve mobilization group, EA group and EA plus nerve mobilization group were higher than those in the model control group (all <0.01), and the scores in the subgroup of EA plus nerve mobilization group were higher than those in the nerve mobilization group and the EA group (all <0.01); the recovery was the best at 4 weeks. ② The mRNA and protein expression of RhoA: in segment of spinal cord, at 1, 2 and 4 weeks, the expression in the model control group was higher than that in the normal control group (all <0.01). The expression in the subgroup of nerve mobilization group, EA group and EA plus nerve mobilization group was lower than that in the model control group (all <0.01), and the expression in the subgroup of EA plus nerve mobilization group was lower than that in the nerve mobilization group and the EA group (all <0.01); at 1 week and 4 weeks, the expression in the nerve mobilization group was lower than that in the EA group (all <0.01); at 2 weeks, the expression in the nerve mobilization group was higher than that in the EA group (all <0.01). In the sciatic nerve, at 1, 2 and 4 weeks, the expression in the model control group was higher than that in the normal control group (all <0.01). The expression in the subgroup of nerve mobilization group, EA group and EA plus nerve mobilization group was lower than that in the model control group (all <0.01); at 2 weeks and 4 weeks, the expression in the EA plus nerve mobilization group was lower than that in the nerve mobilization group and EA group (all <0.01); at 1 week, the expression in the nerve mobilization group was lower than that in the EA group and EA plus nerve mobilization group (all <0.01), but the differences between the EA group and the EA plus nerve mobilization group were not significant (>0.05); at 2 weeks, the expression in the nerve mobilization group was higher than that in the EA group (all <0.01); at 4 weeks, the expression in the nerve mobilization group was lower than that in the EA group (all <0.01).

Conclusion: The nerve mobilization and EA at "Jiaji" (EX-B 2) points could both promote the repair of injured sciatic nerve, which may be related to the down-regulation of RhoA expression, and the combination of the two methods has better effects.