Neuregulin1-ErbB4 Signaling Involved in Acupuncture Promoting Myelin Regeneration in Spinal Cord Injury Rats

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in severe neurological dysfunction, and myelin repair is a critical step in the recovery of neurological function. Electroacupuncture (EA), a therapeutic method that combines traditional acupuncture with electrical stimulation, has been widely applied in the field of nerve repair. However, the specific signaling pathways involved in EA have not been fully elucidated. This study aims to investigate the effects of EA on myelin regeneration in SCI rats and to verify whether the Neuregulin1 (NRG1)-ErbB4 signaling pathway plays a role in this process. SCI rats were induced by aneurysm clip injury at the T10 spinal segment. A polyethylene (PE) catheter was implanted into the vertebral canal between the L5-6 intervertebral spaces and fixed subcutaneously to establish a long-term drug delivery system. Exogenous NRG1 and its antagonist were administered through the PE catheter every other day, with a volume of 20 µL per injection. EA treatment was applied at the Dazhui (GV14) and Mingmen (GV4) acupuncture points every other day, each session lasting 30 min for 4 consecutive weeks. The results showed that EA treatment significantly promoted the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) in spinal cord tissue and improved hind limb motor function in the rats. Furthermore, exogenous NRG1 produced similar effects to EA. In conclusion, the NRG1-ErbB4 signaling pathway plays an important role in EA-induced myelin regeneration in SCI rats.