Mechanism of acupuncture for limb spasm of post-stroke spasticity based on GABA and BDNF/Trkb-KCC2 signaling pathway

Background:To investigate the effects of acupuncture on post-stroke limb spasm model rats and the underlying mechanism.Methods:A total of 50 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups,Control group(10),Model group(20)and Zhishen Tiaoxing(ZSTX)acupuncture group(20).Middle cerebral artery occlusion was conducted in SD rats to establish post-stroke limb spasm rats,which were treated with ZSTX acupuncture.Behavioral assays were determined by the Narrow ally test,the limb muscle tension was detected by the BL-420S test system,and infarct volume was assessed after the cerebral infarction by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining.Heterogeneous neurotransmitterγ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)and its receptors GABAA and GABAB in the cerebral cortex of the infarct area were determined by immunofluorescence assay.The release of Trkb and K-Cl cotransporter isoform 2 was detected by an immunofluorescence double labeling study.Western Blot was utilized to measure the expression of BDNF and Trkb.Results:The results showed that the behavioral assays in post-stroke limb spasm rats were significantly improved by the treatment of ZSTX acupuncture.14 days of ZSTX acupuncture can effectively inhibit muscle tone and decrease Infarct volume,which was measured with BL-420S biological function experiment system and triphenyltetrazolium chloride.Meanwhile,the results of Double-Label Immunofluorescence Assays showed that ZSTX acupuncture improved the expression of GABA,GABAA,GABAB,BDNF,and K-Cl cotransporter isoform 2.Double-Label Immunofluorescence Assays and WB results showed that 14 days ZSTX acupuncture declined the expression of Trkb.Conclusions:Our results suggest that 14 days of ZSTX acupuncture can significantly improve post-stroke limb spasm.Meanwhile,the pathogenesis of post-stroke limb spasm and the efficacy of ZSTX acupuncture involve metabolic pathways of neurotransmitters,and electro-acupuncture can treat post-stroke limb spasm by regulating BDNF/Trkb-KCC2 signaling pathway.

Bibliometric and visual analysis of limb spasm after stroke based on Citespace software

Background:To apply CiteSpace software to the hotspot,trend and cutting-edge dynamics of limb spasm after stroke in nearly 20 years.Methods:From 2000 to 2018,spasming literature in the Web of Science database were searched,and cooperative analysis of authors'national institutions was conducted by using CiteSpace software,keyword analysis and cluster analysis,citation analysis of authors'literature journals,and visual map.Results:2005 articles were retrieved,and the number of articles increased year by year,and the country with the most articles was the United States.Keyword analysis shows that mechanistic research and clinical treatment of spasticity are research hotspots in this field.The most posts are Northwestern Univ and Univ Verona.Conclusion:Through the CiteSpace software analysis of spasticity literature,it is found that the research focus is embodied in the nerve regeneration technology and the standardized clinical study of botulinum toxin type A application,which has certain reference significance for the future research direction of spasticity.

Catgut implantation at acupoints increases the expression of glutamate aspartate transporter and glial glutamate transporter-1 in the brain of rats with spasticity after stroke

Catgut implantation at acupoints has been shown to alleviate spasticity after stroke in rats.However,the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.In this study,we used the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model of stroke.Three days after surgery,absorbable surgical catgut sutures were implanted at Dazhui（GV14）,Jizhong（GV6）,Houhui,Guanyuan（CV4）and Zhongwan（CV12）.The Zea Longa score was used to assess neurological function.The Modified Ashworth Scale was used to evaluate muscle tension.The 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride assay was used to measure infarct volume.Immunohistochemical staining was performed for glutamate aspartate transporter（GLAST）and glial glutamate transporter-1（GLT-1）expression.Western blot assay was used to analyze the expression of GLAST and GLT-1.Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction were carried out to assess the expression of GLAST and GLT-1m RNAs.After catgut implantation at the acupoints,neurological function was substantially improved,muscle tension was decreased,and infarct volume was reduced in rats with spasticity after stroke.Furthermore,the expression of GLAST and GLT-1 m RNAs was increased on the injured（left）side.Our findings demonstrate that catgut implantation at acupoints alleviates spasticity after stroke,likely by increasing the expression of GLAST and GLT-1.