The effects of moxibustion and electroacupuncture on the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide in rats with spinal cord injury

Objective To explore the effects of moxibustion and electroacupuncture at points on the Du meridian on the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide ( CGRP ) in rats with spinal cord injury ( SCI ).Methods Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a normal control group, a SCI group, a moxibustion group and an electroacupuncture group. Rats in the latter three groups were subjected to spinal cord transection under a microscope. Moxibustion and electroacupuncture were administered to rats in those groups at points on the Du meridian daily for 3 days beginning on the 7th day after the operation, Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe any changes in the CGRP-positive area of the spinal cord's dorsal horn. Western blotting was used to detect changes in the content of CGRP in the spine. Results The CGRP-positive stained area of spinal cord's dorsal horn was significantly larger in the moxibustion and electroacupuncture groups than in the SCI group. CGRP content was also significantly higher. Any differences between the moxibustion and electroacupuncture groups were not significant. The CGRP-positive area and its content in the normal control group were not significantly different from those in the moxibustion and electroacupuncture groups. Conclusions Either moxibustion or electroacupuncture at points on the Du meridian can promote the expression of CGRP in rats after SCI. There is no significant difference between their effects. Key words: Du meridian;  Moxibustion;  Electroacupuncture;  Spinal cord injury;  Calcitonin gene-related peptide