Abstract: Objective To explore the mechanism of the nerve growth factor (NGF) accommodated by electro-acupuncture in rats with diabetes peripheral neuropathy (DPN).MethodsThe rat DPN model was established with streptozotocin (STZ). The rats were randomly divided into the normal group, model group, western medicine group and electro-acupuncture group. The animals of the electrol-acupuncture group were treated with electrol-acupuncture on "Zusanli" and "Shenshu" after DPN model established. The nervous tissues of all animals were examined with the techniques of immunity and fluorescent quantitation PCR to detect the albumen and mRNA expression of NGF.ResultsThe albumen and mRNA expression of NGF of the animals in the model group, western medicine group and electro-acupuncture group were significantly lower than that in the normal group ( P<0.05～0.01), and the albumen and mRNA expression of NGF was up-regulation in the electro-acupuncture group after electro-acupuncture treatment and was significantly higher than that in the model group ( P<0.01).ConclusionElectro-acupuncture on "Zusanli" and "Shenshu" can up-regulate the albumen and mRNA expression of NGF, and improve reparation of the sciatic nerve in DPN animals.

Key words: sciatic nerve, nerve growth factor (NGF), diabetes peripheral neuropathy (DPN), electro-acupuncture, rat