Effects of electro-acupuncture on Jiaji acupoints combined with treadmill training on tibia bone mass of rabbit with sciatic nerve injury

Abstract

Objective To observe the effects of electro-acupuncture on Jiaji acupoints combine with treadmill training on tibia bone mass of rabbits with sciatic nerve injury, so as to provide the theoretical support for better project to maintain normal metabolism of bone after peripheral nerve injury. Methods A total of 24 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (n=6), namely a model group, a sham group, a treadmill group and an electro-acupuncture + treadmill group according to a random number table. The sciatic nerve of rabbits in the model, treadmill and electro-acupuncture + treadmill group was clamped using hemostatic forceps to establish the model of sciatic nerve injury, while that of the sham group was not clamped, just cut soft tissue around the sciatic nerve. Three days after modeling, the rabbits in treadmill group and the electro-acupuncture + treadmill group were given treadmill training and electro-acupuncture combine with treadmill training respectively, lasting 4 months, whereas those in the sham and the model groups were not given any intervention. Right after modeling, the behavior of rabbits in four groups was observed. Four weeks after treatment or feeding, their bone mineral density and bone strength of tibia were measured. Results Four weeks after treatment, there was significant reduction in bone density and bone strength of tibia in the model, the treadmill and the electro-acupuncture + treadmill groups compared with those in the sham group(P<0.05); the bone mineral density and bone strength of tibia in the electro-acupuncture + treadmill group were 0.17±0.01 g/cm2 and 161.92±43.27 N respectively, significantly higher than those in both the model and the treadmill groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Electro-acupuncture combined with treadmill training can improve tibia bone mineral density and bone strength after sciatic nerve injury and facilitate the normal metabolism of the bone and to maintain its normal function. Key words: Electro-acupuncture; Treadmill training; Bone mineral density; Bone strength; Sciatic nerve injury