The Influence of Acupuncture over the Ultrastructure of Injured Lumbar Nerve Roots and Inflammatory Mediators of Rat Models of Lumbar Nerve Root Compression

Objective To explore the influence of acupuncture over the ultrastructure of injured lumbar nerve roots and inflammatory mediators. Methods SD rats were randomly divided into model group and electro acupuncture group, 45 rats in each group. The processed tissues of the injured lumbar nerve roots in the compressed area were observed under the electro microscope and optical microscope 15 days and 30 days respectively after the models (or electro acupuncture) were created (applied); and the contents of PGE2 and 5 HT of the tissues were also determined. Results Compared with the model group, the congestion, edema around nerve fibres and demyelination of nerve fibres in the 15 day eletro acupuncture group were less severe, and the structure of Schwann Cells was basically normal. In the 30 day model group, numerous inflammatory cells accumulated around the nerve fibres, and there're severe demyelination of nerve root fibres, obviously increased distance of nerve fibres as well as exudated erythrocytes. In the 30 day electro acupuncture group, the demyelination of nerve fibres was less severe, and the edema in the nerves was relieved. In the 15 day and 30 day model groups, the contents of PGE 2 in the local tissues around the compressed lumbar nerve roots of rats increased obviously; while in both the 15 day and the 30 day electro acupuncture groups, the contents of PGE 2 in the local tissues around the compressed nerve roots of rats were significantly lower compared with the model groups. In the 15 day and 30 day model groups, the contents of 5 HT in the local tissues around the compressed nerve roots of rats increased obviously; while in the 15 day and the 30 day electro acupuncture groups, the contents of 5 HT in the local tissues around the compressed nerve roots of rats gradually decreased. Conclusion Electro acupuncture could relieve the inflammatory reaction around the injured lumbar nerve root and improve its ultrastructure; it could also partly inhibit the inflammatory reaction by lowering the contents of PGE 2 and 5 HT in the compressed lumbar nerve root tissues.