Effect evaluation of acupuncture combined with neural stem cells in the treatment of cerebral palsy rats

Fu Qiang¹Qi Yanchao¹Tang Chunzhi²Liu Zhenhuan³Lin Shijian¹Tang Hongsheng¹

1. Experimental Center of Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical College2. College of Acupuncture and Massage, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine3. Foshan Nanhai Maternal and Child Health Hospital

Abstract:Objective To study the effect of acupuncture combined with neural stem cells on the number of brain nerve cells, learning and memory ability and limb function of young rats with cerebral palsy and to explore the possible mechanism. Methods The neonatal 7-day-old SD rats were taken to prepare the model of cerebral palsy with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD). Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group (normal group), model group and treatment group (including simple acupuncture group and acupuncture NSC group), with 8 rats in each group. Acupuncture sites are Baiwill, Temporal 1 needle, Quchi, Neiguan, Zusanli, Yongquan. Neural stem cells (NSC) were isolated and cultured from the hippocampus of neonatal SD rats, and were injected into the tail vein. After 3 weeks of treatment (24 d after operation), the effects were evaluated, including suspension test, slope test and Y maze test. Finally, the brain tissue was taken for immunohistochemical detection. Results In the suspension test, slope test, Y-maze test, the number of normal nerve cells in the hippocampus and the apoptosis index of the cerebral cortex and the hippocampal tissue section examination, the differences between the combined transplantation group and the model group and the simple acupuncture group were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Compared with the simple acupuncture group, the combined treatment group can better improve the learning and memory ability of cerebral palsy rats, better improve their limb function, and have a better effect on maintaining the number of brain nerve cells and inhibiting the apoptosis of cerebral cortex cells.

Key words:Acupuncture;Neural stem cells;Transplantation;Cerebral palsy;

Funding:Foshan Medical Science and Technology Project in 2010 (No.201008123);

Album:Medical and Health Science and Technology

Topic:traditional Chinese medicine; neurology

Classification number:R742.3;R245

Effect Evaluation of Acupuncture Combined with Neural Stem Cells in the Treatment of Cerebral Palsy Rats