【Animal Modeling】-Efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture combined with methylprednisolone on intervertebral disc prolapse in rats

  OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture combined with methylprednisolone and electroacupuncture or methylprednisolone alone on limb motor function and neuronal Nissl bodies in a rat model 24 hours after intervertebral disc prolapse, and to provide a basis for rational clinical application.

  Methods: 112 SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham), model group (Model), pre-electroacupuncture combined with methylprednisolone group (EA+MP), electroacupuncture group (EA) and methylprednisolone group ( MP), the self-made silicone pad compression method was used to prepare the model of intervertebral disc herniation. Each group was treated separately, and the BBB limb motor function score was performed at different time points or the spinal cord tissue was collected by Nissl staining to observe the changes of neuron Nissl bodies and side effects. and mortality.

  Results: 1) The BBB score showed an upward trend in each group after treatment. On the 3rd and 7th day, the compression of the hind limb in the EA+MP group was significantly higher than that in the EA group and the MP group (P<0.05), and on the 14th day Each group was significantly higher than the Model group (P<0.05), and="" was="" close="" to="" the="" sham="" group="" p="">0.05). (2) Nissl staining showed that compared with the model group, the nerve cells in each treatment group were less damaged, and Nissl bodies were less severe. (3) The incidence of side effects was 30% in the MP group, 4.16% in the EA+MP group, and 0 in the EA group; the mortality rate was 20% in the MP group and 20% in the EA group. +MP group and EA group were 0.

  Conclusion: The three treatments can increase the number of Nissl bodies to varying degrees, maintain the shape of nerve cells, and improve the limb motor function of rats with intervertebral disc prolapse for 24 hours (over the time window of methylprednisolone). Among them, EA+MP has the best effect. , and significantly reduced the side effects and mortality of MP therapy, which was also better than the efficacy of EA alone.