Increased Nerve Growth Factor Signaling in Sensory Neurons of Early Diabetic Rats Is Corrected by Electroacupuncture
Figure 1
NGF protein and mRNA levels following STZ and EA. Four weeks after STZ injection, an elevation of NGF protein content (a), as measured by ELISA, was found in the lumbar DRGs of adult rats. EA applied for three weeks, starting one week after STZ, restored baseline levels of DRG’s NGF in diabetic rats. Data from NGF ELISA are presented as mean SD; for each experimental group. * versus control group. # versus STZ group. NGF mRNA was measured by semiquantitative real-time PCR at anatomical sites responsible for the production of NGF supplied to DRG neurons. The lumbar spinal cord (b) and hindpaw skin (c) NGF mRNA were found decreased four weeks after diabetes induction, and the three-week treatment with EA did not affecte STZ-induced NGF mRNA decrease. Relative NGF gene expression values were calculated using the method and the GAPDH used for normalization. Data are expressed as mean SD; for each experimental group. * versus Control group.
