Increased Nerve Growth Factor Signaling in Sensory Neurons of Early Diabetic Rats Is Corrected by Electroacupuncture
Figure 2
Effects of electroacupuncture on NGF receptors TrkA and in the DRGs of diabetic rats. Relative TrkA (a) and (b) gene expression was analyzed in DRGs by real-time PCR and data obtained using the method. STZ induced a nonsignificant increase of TrkA mRNA in the DRGs (a) that reached a significant value after EA. STZ induced a significant increase of mRNA in the DRGs (b), while EA did not affect such increase. Data presented in (a) and (b) are expressed as mean SD; for each experimental group; * versus control group. Representative TrkA and -TrkA (p-TrkA) Western blots of three samples for each experimental group are presented (c). Densitometry of three separate gels run/blots (c) revealed that four weeks after diabetes induction, both the high-affinity NGF receptor TrkA and its activated form, the -TrkA, in DRGs were increased. EA in diabetic animals induced a significant deactivation of the TrkA receptor, as indicated by the significant decrease of the phospho-TrkA in the STZ + EA group. Representative Western blot of three samples for each experimental group is also presented (d). Densitometry of three separate gels run/blots (d) revealed that STZ induced a significant increase of the in DRGs. EA reduced protein content in diabetic DRGs well below control level. Data presented in (c) and (d) are obtained after normalization with GAPDH bands. Western blots data () are all expressed as % of controls mean SD; * versus Control group. # versus STZ group.
