| Objective: To observe the changes of bladder function in rats with neurogenic bladder with detrusor hyperreflexia after electroacupuncture treatment, and to explore the mechanism of this treatment based on intertitial cells of cajal(ICC). Methods: Forty healthy adult female SD rats were randomly divided into control group, sham operation group, model group, and electroacupuncture group with 10 rats in each group. The sham operation group exposed only the spinal cord at the T10 level which was not disconnected. The spinal cord at the T10 level in the model group and the electroacupuncture group was completely transected to make a rat model of neurogenic bladder. After the rats passed through the spinal shock phase, the electroacupuncture group was electroacupunctured on Ciliao, once a day for 14 consecutive days. Urinary flow dynamic parameters were measured 14 days after electroacupuncture and the changes of bladder function were observed. Rats were then sacrificed, and the expression of C-kit protein in bladder tissue was detected by Western blotting. The number of ICC was analyzed by immunofluorescence. Results: The maximum bladder capacity and bladder compliance in the model group and the electroacupuncture group were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the bladder base pressure and the leakage point pressure were increased as compared with those in the control group and the sham operation group (all P<0.05). The maximum bladder capacity and bladder compliance in the electroacupuncture group increased (P<0.05), and the bladder basal pressure and leakage point pressure decreased (P<0.05) as compared with the model group. The expression of bladder C-kit protein and the number of ICC in the model group and electroacupuncture group were significantly increased as compared wiht those in the control group and sham operation (P<0.01). As compared with the model group, the expression of C-kit protein in the bladder and the number of ICC were significantly reduced in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Electroacupuncture at the time of acupoints has a significant effect on detrusor hyperreflexia neurogenic bladder, probably by inhibiting the expression of C-KIT and reducing the number of ICC, thereby decreasing the contractile contraction of the bladder detrusor. |
