Effects of electroacupuncture combined with nerve mobilization on lower limb motor function and mRNA and protein expression of C3 botoxin substrate 1 after sciatic nerve injury

Objective To investigate the effect of combining electroacupuncture with nerve mobilization to improve lower extremity motor function after sciatic nerve injury. And to document any changes in mRNA and protein expression of Ras-related C3 botoxin substrate 1. Methods 180 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model control group, an electroacupuncture group, a nerve mobilization group, and an electroacupuncture combined with nerve mobilization group, each of 36. Sciatic nerve injury was modelled using the clamping method in all except the normal control group. The control group had no intervention, while the nerve mobilization group, the electroacupuncture group and the combined group were treated with nerve mobilization, and/or electroacupuncture applied to the rabbit analogue of the jiaji acupoint. After 1, 2, and 4 weeks of treatment, toe reflex scores and modified Tarlov scores were used to assess any functional recovery. After 1, 2, and 4 weeks of treatment, 12 of the rabbits in each group were sacrificed and the sciatic nerve and the L4-L6 segments of the spinal cord were resected. The expression of Ras-related C3 botoxin substrate 1 mRNA and protein was detected using the polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Results Sciatic nerve function and the expression of Ras-related C3 botoxin substrate 1 mRNA in the spinal cords and sciatic nerves of the three treatment groups were significantly higher than in the model control group at all three time points, but significantly lower than in the normal control group. The combined group′s results were significantly better than with electroacupuncture or nerve mobilization alone. After 1, 2, and 4 weeks of treatment, the average expression of Ras-related C3 botoxin substrate 1 protein in the spinal cords of the three treatment groups was significantly higher than the model control group′s average, but significantly lower than that of the normal control group at the same time point. After 1 week of treatment the average expression of Ras-related C3 botoxin substrate 1 protein in the spinal cords of the combined group was significantly higher than that in the group receiving electroacupuncture alone. After 2 and 4 weeks it was also significantly higher than the nerve mobilization group′s average. After 1 week of treatment, the average expression of Ras-related C3 botoxin substrate 1 protein in the sciatic nerves of all three treatment groups was significantly lower than that of the control group. However, 1 and 3 weeks later the average protein expression in the sciatic nerves was significantly higher than in the model control group, but significantly lower than in the normal control group at the same time points. The combined group′s average was then significantly higher than those of the groups receiving electroacupuncture or nerve mobilization alone at the same time point. Conclusion Nerve stimulation combined with electroacupuncture applied to the jiaji acupoint can promote the regeneration of axons after sciatic nerve injury. The mechanism may be related to up-regulation of the Ras-related C3 botoxin substrate 1 gene and protein expression in the injured sciatic nerve and corresponding spinal cord segments. Key words: Sciatic nerve injury; Jiaji acupoint; Electroacupuncture; Nerve mobilization; C3 botoxin substrate 1