Effect of Jiaji electroacupuncture in transected rat spinal cord

We evaluated the effect of Jiaji electroacupuncture on cell proliferation and the expression of markers of endogenous neural stem cell activation after complete spinal cord transection. Female Wistar rats were assigned to 4 groups (n = 24 each): a sham-operated group, a control group, a Jiaji electroacupuncture group, and a Jiaji electroacupuncture preconditioning group. Motor function was significantly improved in the acupuncture groups compared to the control group at 7 and 14 d. Numbers of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-, nestin-, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells were significantly greater in the acupuncture groups than in the controls at each time point. Expression of nestin and GFAP mRNA was significantly higher in the acupuncture groups than in the controls at each time point. Thus, Jiaji electroacupuncture and preconditioning may promote the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells after spinal cord transection.