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Huang RR, Wu JJ, Shen J, Xing XX, Hua XY, Zheng MX, Xiao LB, Xu JG. Limbic system plasticity after electroacupuncture intervention in knee osteoarthritis rats. Neurosci Lett 2024; 820:137580. [PMID: 38072028 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is characterized by debilitating pain. Electroacupuncture (EA), a traditional Chinese medical therapy, has shown promise in KOA pain management. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of EA in KOA and its impact on limbic system neural plasticity. Sixteen rats were randomly assigned into two groups: EA group and sham-EA group. EA or sham-EA interventions were administered at acupoints ST32 (Futu) and ST36 (Zusanli) for three weeks. Post-intervention resting-state fMRI was scanned, assessing parameters including Amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), functional connectivity (FC) and nodal characterizations of network within limbic system. The results showed that EA was strategically directed towards the limbic system, resulting in discernible alterations in neural activity, FC, and network characteristics. Our findings demonstrate that EA had a significant impact on the limbic system neural plasticity in rats with KOA, presenting a novel nonpharmacological approach for KOA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Rong Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jia-Jia Wu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jun Shen
- Guanghua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Arthritis Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiang-Xin Xing
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xu-Yun Hua
- Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Mou-Xiong Zheng
- Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Lian-Bo Xiao
- Guanghua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Arthritis Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jian-Guang Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China.
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Wu R, Ma H, Hu J, Wang D, Wang F, Yu X, Li Y, Fu W, Lai M, Hu Z, Feng W, Shan C, Wang C. Electroacupuncture stimulation to modulate neural oscillations in promoting neurological rehabilitation. Brain Res 2024; 1822:148642. [PMID: 37884179 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation is a modern neuromodulation technique that integrates traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy with contemporary electrical stimulation. It involves the application of electrical currents to specific acupoints on the body following acupuncture. EA has been widely used in the treatment of various neurological disorders, including epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Recent research suggests that EA stimulation may modulate neural oscillations, correcting abnormal brain electrical activity, therefore promoting brain function and aiding in neurological rehabilitation. This paper conducted a comprehensive search in databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI using keywords like "electroacupuncture," "neural oscillations," and "neurorehabilitation", covering the period from year 1980 to 2023. We provide a detailed overview of how electroacupuncture stimulation modulates neural oscillations, including maintaining neural activity homeostasis, influencing neurotransmitter release, improving cerebral hemodynamics, and enhancing specific neural functional networks. The paper also discusses the current state of research, limitations of electroacupuncture-induced neural oscillation techniques, and explores prospects for their combined application, aiming to offer broader insights for both basic and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiren Wu
- The Second Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, China; School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongli Ma
- The Second Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, China; School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Hu
- The Second Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, China; School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Deheng Wang
- School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoming Yu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanli Li
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wang Fu
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Minghui Lai
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zekai Hu
- The Second Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, China; School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Feng
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunlei Shan
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Wang
- The Second Rehabilitation Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, China; School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Neurology, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
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Ma S, Zhang J, Hua X, Wu J, Zheng M, Xu J. Tuina therapy promotes behavioral improvement and brain plasticity in rats with peripheral nerve injury and repair. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3174. [PMID: 37522806 PMCID: PMC10498059 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tuina is currently one of the popular complementary and alternative methods of rehabilitation therapy. Tuina can improve patients' pain and mobility function. However, the underlying physiological mechanism remains largely unknown, which might limit its further popularization in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to explore the short-term and long-term changes in brain functional activity following Tuina intervention for peripheral nerve injury repair. METHODS A total of 16 rats were equally divided into the intervention group and the control group. Rats in the intervention group received Tuina therapy applying on the gastrocnemius muscle of the right side for 4 months following sciatic nerve transection and immediate repair, while the control group received nerve transection and repair only. The block-design functional magnetic resonance imaging scan was applied in both groups at 1 and 4 months after the surgery. During the scan, both the injured and intact hindpaw was electrically stimulated according to a "boxcar" paradigm. RESULTS When stimulating the intact hindpaw, the intervention group exhibited significantly lower activation in the somatosensory area, limbic/paralimbic areas, pain-regulation areas, and basal ganglia compared to the control group, with only the prefrontal area showing higher activation. After 4 months of sciatic nerve injury, the control group exhibited decreased motor cortex activity compared to the activity observed at 1 month, and the intervention group demonstrated stronger bilateral motor cortex activity compared to the control group. CONCLUSION Tuina therapy on the gastrocnemius muscle of rats with sciatic nerve injury can effectively alleviate pain and maintain the motor function of the affected limb. In addition, Tuina therapy reduced the activation level of pain-related brain regions and inhibited the decreased activity of the motor cortex caused by nerve injury, reflecting the impact of peripheral stimulation on brain plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu‐Jie Ma
- Department of Traditional Chinese Rehabilitation MedicineThe Second Rehabilitation Hospital of ShanghaiShanghaiChina
- Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent RehabilitationMinistry of EducationShanghaiChina
| | - Jun‐Peng Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent RehabilitationMinistry of EducationShanghaiChina
- School of Rehabilitation ScienceShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Xu‐Yun Hua
- Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent RehabilitationMinistry of EducationShanghaiChina
- Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Yueyang HospitalShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Jia‐Jia Wu
- Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent RehabilitationMinistry of EducationShanghaiChina
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang HospitalShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Mou‐Xiong Zheng
- Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent RehabilitationMinistry of EducationShanghaiChina
- Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Yueyang HospitalShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Jian‐Guang Xu
- Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent RehabilitationMinistry of EducationShanghaiChina
- School of Rehabilitation ScienceShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
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