Electroacupuncture Improves the Motor Function in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury by Regulating UCN2-Mediated cAMP-PKA...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Regenerative Medicine
• Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to significant mortality and disability, causing severe neurological deficits.
• Urocortin 2 (UCN2) is implicated in spinal cord motor function regulation.
• The precise role of electroacupuncture (EA) in modulating UCN2 post-SCI and its mechanisms remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic effects of EA on SCI in a rat model.
• To elucidate the role of UCN2 and its downstream signaling pathways in EA's recovery mechanisms.
• To assess EA's impact on cellular changes and locomotor function at various time points post-injury.

Main Methods:

• Established a complete spinal cord transection model in Sprague-Dawley rats.
• Administered EA to T9 and T11 Jiaji points.
• Conducted behavioral analyses, histological assessments, RNA sequencing, and molecular validation (qPCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry).

Main Results:

• EA significantly improved locomotor function at 7, 14, and 28 days post-injury (d.p.i.).
• EA modulated glial scar formation, reduced astrocyte proliferation, and suppressed neuronal apoptosis at 3 d.p.i.
• EA altered microglial numbers, increased neurofilament and myelin basic protein expression at later time points, and modulated UCN2 expression and cAMP-PKA signaling.

Conclusions:

• EA effectively promotes functional recovery after SCI by modulating UCN2 expression and activating the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway.
• EA influences glial responses, reduces neuronal apoptosis, and enhances axonal regeneration and remyelination.
• EA represents a promising therapeutic strategy for managing spinal cord injuries.