Wenxiu Song1, Xiaoshi Han1, Kelei Li1, Chao Chen2, Huajun Wang3, Xiaofei Zheng3. 1. Hebei Normal University for Nationalities, Chengde 067000, China. 2. Department of Orthopedics, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. 3. First Clinical College of Jinan University/Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of electro-acupuncture on tendon healing and functional recovery of rotator cuff injury in rats and explore the therapeutic mechanism of electro-acupuncture. METHODS: Ninety SD rats were randomly divided into electro-acupuncture group, model group and blank control group, and models of rotator cuff injury were established in the former two groups.The rats in electro-acupuncture group was treated with electro-acupuncture after the operation, and those in the other two groups received no treatment.The right forefoot thermal withdrawal latency (TWL), the contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the synovial fluid and the maximum tension load of supraspinatus tendon were measured at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the operation. RESULTS: TWL in the model group was significantly lower than that in the blank control group and electro-acupuncture group at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the operation (P < 0.05).At all these time points, the contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the synovial fluid were significantly higher in the model group than in the blank control group and electro-acupuncture group (P < 0.05).At 2 weeks, the maximum load in electro-acupuncture group and model group were significantly lower than that in the blank control group (P < 0.05).At 4 and 8 weeks after the operation, the maximum pull load was significantly greater in electro-acupuncture group than in the model group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Electro-acupuncture treatment not only effectively reduces the expression of inflammatory factors to relieve pain, but also promotes the repair of damaged tissue to improve the biomechanical properties of rotator cuff in the rat models.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of electro-acupuncture on tendon healing and functional recovery of rotator cuff injury in rats and explore the therapeutic mechanism of electro-acupuncture. METHODS: Ninety SD rats were randomly divided into electro-acupuncture group, model group and blank control group, and models of rotator cuff injury were established in the former two groups.The rats in electro-acupuncture group was treated with electro-acupuncture after the operation, and those in the other two groups received no treatment.The right forefoot thermal withdrawal latency (TWL), the contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the synovial fluid and the maximum tension load of supraspinatus tendon were measured at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the operation. RESULTS: TWL in the model group was significantly lower than that in the blank control group and electro-acupuncture group at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the operation (P < 0.05).At all these time points, the contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the synovial fluid were significantly higher in the model group than in the blank control group and electro-acupuncture group (P < 0.05).At 2 weeks, the maximum load in electro-acupuncture group and model group were significantly lower than that in the blank control group (P < 0.05).At 4 and 8 weeks after the operation, the maximum pull load was significantly greater in electro-acupuncture group than in the model group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Electro-acupuncture treatment not only effectively reduces the expression of inflammatory factors to relieve pain, but also promotes the repair of damaged tissue to improve the biomechanical properties of rotator cuff in the rat models.
Authors: Katherine E Reuther; Stephen J Thomas; Joseph J Sarver; Jennica J Tucker; Chang-Soo Lee; Chancellor F Gray; David L Glaser; Louis J Soslowsky Journal: J Orthop Res Date: 2012-12-31 Impact factor: 3.494