Effects of acupuncture on the expression of nerve growth factor mRNA after sciatic nerve injury in rats

Objective To explore the effects of acupuncture on the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA and actions of electroacupuncture with different frequencies and manual acupuncture to nerve growth. Methods Seventy-eight SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, electroacupuncture group with 5 Hz, electroacupuncture group with 100 Hz,manual-acupuncture group,model group with sciatic nerve injury,and control group. 30 min electroacupuncture or manual acupuncture at points huantiao and zusanli was performed twice daily one day after artificial injury of the sciatic nerve. NGF mRNA expressions in the sciatic nerve tissues were detected using in situ hybridization and the imaging analytic system on weeks 1, 2, and 6. Result The expressions of NGF mRNA were markedly higher in the acupuncture groups than in the model group, especially in the electroacupuncture group with 5 Hz. Conclusion Acupuncture is an important approach for accelerating regeneration of the impaired peripheral nerve and electroacupuncture with 5Hz achieves the optimal outcome.