Evaluation of the effects of ozone therapy on Escherichia coli-induced cytitis in rat

Objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of ozone on oxidative/nitrosative stress and bladder injury caused by Escherichia coli in rat bladder.

Methods

Twenty-one Wistar-Albino-type female rats included in the study were divided into three groups of equal number: (1) sham operation (control), (2) E. coli-only (EC), (3) EC + ozone. After ozone therapy for 3 days, urine and tissue samples were obtained for biochemical, microbiological, and histopathological analysis.

Results

Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and nitric oxide (NO) level were increased, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was decreased in the EC group. MDA, MPO, and NO levels were decreased, whereas SOD, GPx activity was increased in the ozone-treated group. Also, there was no bacterial translocation in this group.

Conclusion

The results of the present study suggest that ozone may be used as an agent to protect the bladder from oxidative/nitrosative stress occurring in cystitis.     

Effect of rhubarb on inflammatory cytokines and complements in patients with systemic inflammation reaction syndrome and its significance

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Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for a late solitary renal cell cancer metastasis to the ipsilateral adrenal gland

Background

Metastases to the adrenal gland are the second most common type of adrenal mass lesion after adrenocortical adenomas [1, 2]. However, less than 2% of those patients who develop a metachronous metastasis after resection of a primary renal tumour will present with a solitary adrenal tumour [3]. Most of these patients present within several years of the primary diagnosis [4].

Case report

A 66-year-old man with a history of left nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma 18 years previously was investigated for recent weight loss. Computed tomography scanning identified a lesion in the ipsilateral adrenal gland. Hormonal investigations were consistent with a non-functioning mass. Magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography scans suggested a malignant lesion. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed without complication and histopathological examination confirmed metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The patient remains well with no evidence of recurrence at 6 months.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe, effective treatment in the treatment of late solitary renal cell cancer metastasis to the ipsilateral adrenal gland.     

Propofol Ameliorates Calpain-induced Collapsin Response Mediator Protein-2 Proteolysis in Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats

Background:

Collapsin response mediator protein-2 (CRMP2), a multifunctional cytosolic protein highly expressed in the brain, is degraded by calpain following traumatic brain injury (TBI), possibly inhibiting posttraumatic neurite regeneration. Lipid peroxidation (LP) is involved in triggering postinjury CRMP2 proteolysis. We examined the hypothesis that propofol could attenuate LP, calpain-induced CRMP2 degradation, and brain injury after TBI.

Methods:

A unilateral moderate controlled cortical impact injury was induced in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were randomly divided into seven groups: Sham control group, TBI group, TBI + propofol groups (including propofol 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h groups), TBI + U83836E group and TBI + fat emulsion group. The LP inhibitor U83836E was used as a control to identify that antioxidation partially accounts for the potential neuroprotective effects of propofol. The solvent of propofol, fat emulsion, was used as the vehicle control. Ipsilateral cortex tissues were harvested at 24 h post-TBI. Immunofluorescent staining, Western blot analysis, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling were used to evaluate LP, calpain activity, CRMP2 proteolysis and programmed cell death. The data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and a paired t-test.

Results:

Propofol and U83836E significantly ameliorated the CRMP2 proteolysis. In addition, both propofol and U83836E significantly decreased the ratio of 145-kDa αII-spectrin breakdown products to intact 270-kDa spectrin, the 4-hydroxynonenal expression and programmed cell death in the pericontusional cortex at 24 h after TBI. There was no difference between the TBI group and the fat emulsion group.

Conclusions:

These results demonstrate that propofol postconditioning alleviates calpain-mediated CRMP2 proteolysis and provides neuroprotective effects following moderate TBI potentially by counteracting LP and reducing calpain activation.     

热毒宁注射液对脂多糖诱导急性肺损伤大鼠的抗感染作用

Objective： To evaluate the protective effects of Reduning Injection （热毒宁注射液, RDN）, a patent Chinese medicine, on lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced acute lung injury （ALl） in rats and its underlying mechanisms of action. Methods： Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, including normal control, model, dexamethasone （DEX, 5 mg/kg）, RDN-H （720 mg/kg）, RDN-M （360 mg/kg） and RDN-L （180 mg/kg） groups, with 10 rats in each group. Rats were challenged with intravenous injection of LPS 1 h after intraperitoneal treatment with RDN or DEX. At 6 h after LPS challenge, lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） were collected, and the number of inflammatory cells was determined. The right lungs were collected for histopathologic examination, measurement of gene and protein expressions, superoxide dismutase （SOD） and myeloperoxidase （MPO） activities. Results： In vivo pretreatment of RDN （360, 720 mg/kg） significantly reduced the weight of wet to dry （W/D） ratio of lung, protein content in BALF, and led to remarkable attenuation of LPS-induced histopathological changes in the lungs. Meanwhile, RDN enormously decreased BALF total inflammatory cells, especially neutrophil and macrophage cell numbers. Moreover, RDN increased SOD activity, inhibited MPO activity, alleviated LPS-induced tumor neurosis factor-o~ （TNF-o~） and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） expression in lung tissues. Furthermore, RDN （720 mg/kg） efficiently weakened nuclear factor- kappa B （NF- K B） gene and protein expression. Conclusion： Anti-inflammatory effects of RDN was demonstrated to be preventing pulmonary neutrophil infiltration, lowering MPO activity, TNF-oL and iNOS gene expression by inhibiting NF- K B activity in LPS-induced ALl.     

通络方对糖尿病大鼠C型钠尿肽及钠尿肽B型受体表达的调节作用

Objective: To investigate the expression of C-type natriuretic peptides (CNP) and natriuretic peptide receptor-B (NPR-B) receptor in diabetic rats renal cortex, and the regulation by Tongluo Recipe (通络方, TLR). Methods: Sixty male SD rats were divided into 3 groups: the normal control group, diabetic model group and diabetic TLR group. Each group was further divided into two subgroups of ten in each, according to 4-week or 12-week observation period. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were treated with TLR (110 g?kg-1?d-1) for 4 and 12 weeks, respectively. (1) The essential information was collected for comparing renal mass, serum creatinine and 24 h urine albumen on each group was calculated. (2) CNP mRNA and NPR-B mRNA were detected by realtime-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on rats renal cortex. (3) Concentration of CNP on renal cortex or serum were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). (4) Pathological evaluation and NPR-B immunostaining for renal tissue were also performed. Results: (1) CNP and NPR-B mRNA levels were detected in each treated or untreated group, with slight elevated in untreated diabetes rats administrated with STZ after 4-week and CNP mRNA level remarkable elevated at 39.21 times higher than normal control group after 12 weeks, but NPR-B mRNA level showed a remarkably down-regulation at 98.07% after 12 weeks. CNP mRNA of TLR-treated group was also elevated after 12-week treatment, but less than untreated group. (2) Concentrations of CNP in renal cortex were obviously increased in treated or untreated diabetes rats, within these groups the treatment of TLR was found more significantly on prompting CNP concentration. Comparing to normal group, serum concentrations of CNP were also increased in treated or untreated diabetic groups, but there was no difference between these diabetic groups. (3) Renal lesions like glomerular volume increased are observed mostly in the relative early stage after 4 weeks. Although TLR treated group had no significant difference in their glomerular volume, the degrees of injury of glomerulus were ameliorated, as well as the NPR-B immunostaining enhanced in glomerulus. Weakly positive immunostaining of NPR-B are observed in glomerulus of normal control, and negative in glomerulus of untreated diabetes rats administrated with STZ after 12 weeks, whereas TLR-treatment groups showed a little enhancement. Conclusion: CNP and NPR-B showed different characteristic on renal cortex at different pathological period in diabetes rats, and TLR regulated their expression.     

Hericium Erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers., A Medicinal Mushroom, Activates Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Objective

To study the ability of aqueous extract of Hericium erinaceus mushroom in the treatment of nerve injury following peroneal nerve crush in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Methods

Aqueous extract of Hericium erinaceus was given by daily oral administration following peroneal nerve crush injury in Sprague-Dawley rats. The expression of protein kinase B (Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways; and c-Jun and c-Fos genes were studied in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) whereas the activity of protein synthesis was assessed in peroneal nerves by immunohistochemical method.

Results

Peripheral nerve injury leads to changes at the axonal site of injury and remotely located DRG containing cell bodies of sensory afferent neurons. Immunofluorescence studies showed that DRG neurons ipsilateral to the crush injury in rats of treated groups expressed higher immunoreactivities for Akt, MAPK, c-Jun and c-Fos as compared with negative control group (P <0.05). The intensity of nuclear ribonucleoprotein in the distal segments of crushed nerves of treated groups was significantly higher than in the negative control group (P <0.05).

Conclusion

H. erinaceus is capable of promoting peripheral nerve regeneration after injury. Potential signaling pathways include Akt, MAPK, c-Jun, and c-Fos, and protein synthesis have been shown to be involved in its action.

     

Protective effect of CDP-choline on ischemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial tissue injury in rats

Background

CDP-choline exerts tissue protective effect in several ischemic conditions. Recently we have reported that the drug prevents cardiac arrhythmias and improves survival rate in short-term myocardial ischemia reperfusion in rats.

Aim

In the current study, we determined the effect of intravenously administered CDP-choline on myocardial tissue injury induced by 30-min ischemia followed by 3-h reperfusion in anesthetized rats.

Methods

Myocardial ischemia was produced by ligature of the left main coronary artery. CDP-choline (100–500 mg/kg) was intravenously injected in the middle of the ischemic period. Cardiovascular parameters were recorded through the experimental period. At the end of the reperfusion period, the hearts of the animals were removed and stained for the investigation of tissue necrosis and apoptosis. The infarct size was evaluated as the ratio of the infarct area to the risk area. Apoptotic activation was assessed by TUNEL assay. Also the blood samples of rats were collected for the measurement of M30–M65, ADMA, homocysteine, and lactate levels.

Results

Ischemia/reperfusion caused serious injury in myocardium, increased blood ADMA and lactate levels without influencing other parameters. CDP-choline significantly reduced the infarct size and the number of apoptotic cells in the risk area. Blood pressure increased after CDP-choline injection; however, it returned back to the basal levels before the onset of reperfusion. CDP-choline failed to alter any other measured parameters.

Conclusion

The present results demonstrate that intravenously administered CDP-choline is able to protect myocardium from injury induced by long-term coronary occlusion–reperfusion in rats. The inhibition of apoptosis by the drug may contribute to its protective effect. But neither the increase in blood pressure in response to CDP-choline injection nor changes in plasma ADMA concentration appear to mediate the attenuation of the myocardial injury.     

Risk factors for surgical site infection following operative ankle fracture fixation

Background

Ankle fracture is a common injury and there is an increasingly greater emphasis on operative fixation.

Aim

The purpose of the study was to determine the complication rate in this cohort of patients and, in doing so, determine risk factors which predispose to surgical site infection.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was performed at a tertiary referral trauma center examining risk factors for surgical site infection in operatively treated ankle fractures.

Results

Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed. Female gender and advancing age were determined to be the risk factors in univariate analysis. Drain usage and peri-operative pyrexia were found to be significant for infection in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

This study allows surgeons to identify those at increased risk of infection and counsel them appropriately. It also allows for a high level of vigilance with regard to soft tissue handling intra-operatively in this higher risk group.     

生脉注射液对接受阿霉素治疗大鼠膈肌收缩力的作用

Objective:To explore the diaphragmatic toxicity in doxorubicin(DOX)-treated rats and the related mechanisms,as well as the effects of Shengmai Injection(SMI,生脉注射液)on the diaphragmatic dysfunction.Methods:Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into three groups:control,DOX-treated and DOX+SMI treated groups.DOX was given to rats in DOX and DOX+SMI groups in 6 equal doses[2.5 mg/kg,intraperitoneal injection(i.p.)],on alternate days,over a period of 2 weeks for a cumulative dose of 15 mg/kg.SMI was given to DOX+SMI rats in 12 doses(3 mL/kg,i.p.)for a period of 2 weeks before the administration of DOX and 2 weeks during the administration of DOX.The rats in the control group received equal volume of normal saline.Subsequently,the twitch and tetanic characteristics and force-frequency relationships,and the malondialdehyde(MDA)levels and the superoxide dismutase(SOD)activities,as well as the mRNA content and proteins of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)were determined.Results:The DOX-treated rats had decreased the peak twitch tension(Pt),maximal tetanic tension(P_0)and force-frequency relationship as compared with the control rats(P0.01),while the diaphragm contractility in rats treated with SMI were significantly higher than that in DOX-treated rats(P0.01).The DOX-treated rats had increased MAD levels and decreased SOD activities(P0.05),and SMI decreased the MDA levels and increased the SOD activities in DOX-treated rats(P0.05).Ultrastructure of diaphragm in the DOX-treated rats revealed typical alterations including fracture of diaphragm fibers,and edema and degeneration of mitochondria;these changes were relieved by SMI treatment.The mRNA content and protein of iNOS in DOX-treated rats were remarkably higher than those in control rats(P0.01),while SMI decreased the mRNA expression level of iNOS in DOX-treated rats(P0.05).Conclusions:Lipid peroxidation is responsible for DOX-induced diaphragm toxicity.SMI protects diaphragm muscles and their function from DOX impairment,and these beneficial effects may be somehow correlated with the decrease in expression of iNOS and lipid peroxidation.     

大鼠创伤性脑损伤后诱导型NOS阳性表达与神经细胞凋亡的关系

目的：探讨大鼠创伤性脑损伤(TBI)后诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)的表达和神经细胞凋亡的关系。方法：将健康SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、伤后24h组、伤后72h组、伤后168h组。采用iNOS免疫组化技术，研究大鼠创伤性脑损伤后iNOS的表达变化及其细胞定位，采用凋亡细胞原位缺121末端标记法(TUNEL)，观察大鼠在创伤性脑损伤后不同时点的神经细胞凋亡情况。结果：大鼠创伤性脑损伤后24h大脑损伤区周围皮质和海马区iNOS活性明显升高，伤后72hiNOS阳性表达最明显，伤后168h仍有表达。大鼠创伤性脑损伤后24h大脑损伤区周围皮质和海马区神经细胞凋亡明显增多，伤后72h增多最明显，可持续168h。结论：TBI后损伤区周围皮质和伤侧海马的iNOS阳性细胞呈高表达并与神经细胞的凋亡呈同步变化，推测iNOS的表达可能参与了TBI后的继发性神经细胞凋亡。     

Effect of Acupuncture on Proliferation and Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells in Brain Tissues of Rats with Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture on proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in brain tissues of rats with traumatic brain injuny.Methods:Thirty SD rats were randomly and equally allocated to the sham-operated,the model and the acupuncture groups.The traumatic brain injury model was established by the free drop method.For the rats in the acupuncture group,acupuncture was applied once a day for 7 days.Brain histotomy was carried out when treatments were completed.Immunohistochemical techniques were adopted to detect the cells that express nestin,neurofilament proteins(NF)-200 and glial fibrillary acidic proteins(GFAP),the markers of neural stem cells,neurons,astrocytes respectively.Results:Compared to the sham-operated group,the number of nestin-positive cells and NF-200-positive cells in brain tissues was decreased significantly in the model group(P<0.01),whereas the number of GFAP-positive cells was significantly increased (P<0.01).Compared to the model group,the positive cells of nestin,NF-200,GFAP in brain tissues in the acupuncture group were increased obviously(P<0.01).Conclusions:Acupuncture can significantly increase the number of nestin-positive cells,NF-200-positive cells and GFAP-positive cells,indicating the significant increase of neural stem cells,neurons and astrocytes in number.Acupuncture can improve neuranagenesis by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in brain tissues.This might be one of the mechanisms for acupuncture to treat traumatic brain injury and to promote the repair of nervous function.     

Icariin Improves Cognitive Impairment after Traumatic Brain Injury by Enhancing Hippocampal Acetylation

Objective

To examine the effect of icariin (ICA) on the cognitive impairment induced by traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice and the underlying mechanisms related to changes in hippocampal acetylation level.

Methods

The modifified free-fall method was used to establish the TBI mouse model. Mice with post-TBI cognitive impairment were randomly divided into 3 groups using the randomised block method (n=7): TBI (vehicle-treated), low-dose (75 mg/kg) and high-dose (150 mg/kg) of ICA groups. An additional sham-operated group (vehicle-treated) was employed. The vehicle or ICA was administrated by gavage for 28 consecutive days. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was conducted. Acetylcholine (ACh) content, mRNA and protein levels of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and protein levels of acetylated H3 (Ac-H3) and Ac-H4 were detected in the hippocampus.

Results

Compared with the sham-operated group, the MWM performance, hippocampal ACh content, mRNA and protein levels of ChAT, and protein levels of Ac-H3 and Ac-H4 were signifificantly decreased in the TBI group (P<0.05). High-dose of ICA signifificantly ameliorated the TBI-induced weak MWM performance, increased hippocampal ACh content, and mRNA and protein levels of ChAT, as well as Ac-H3 protein level compared with the TBI group (P<0.05).

Conclusion

ICA improved post-TBI cognitive impairment in mice by enhancing hippocampal acetylation, which improved hippocampal cholinergic function and ultimately improved cognition.

     

Intra subject variation and correlation of motor potentials evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation

Background

Characterising intra and inter-subject variability of motor-evoked potential (MEP) measurements from transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is key to its development as a diagnostic tool.

Methods

We performed three experiments to elucidate MEP variability within subjects: (i) repeated measurements at different levels of stimulation and muscle activation, (ii) simultaneous measurements at pairs of ipsilateral and contralateral muscles, (iii) simultaneous measurements of contralateral muscles when one is activated.

Results

Cube root transformation of MEP data produces approximately constant coefficient of variation with Gaussian distribution and no significant autocorrelation between repeat measurements. After adjustment of intersubject variability, correlation between simultaneous muscle pairs was insignificant (p?=?0.36). Highly significant effects were observed due to increase in intensity of stimulation: (0.07, 0.23) mV, p?p?p?Conclusion Corticospinal effect is dominated by intersubject variability in simultaneous measurements on normal population.     

改良小柴胡汤可能通过转化生长因子-β1/Sma及愤怒相关蛋白信号通路抑制大鼠慢性胰腺炎进展

Objective： To investigate the effect of modified Xiaochaihu Decoction （小柴胡汤, MXD） on transforming growth factor- [3 1/Sma- and Mad-related proteins （TGF- 13 1/Smads） signaling pathway in rats with chronic pancreatitis （CP） induced by dibutyltin dichloride. Methods： Thirty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, CP group and CP＋MXD-treated group. CP was induced by injection of dibutyltin dichloride （DBTC, 7 mg/kg of body weight） into the right caudal vein, and the control rats were treated with vehicle. MXD was given daily by gavage at a dose of 10 g/kg of body weight, starting from the day after CP induction. After 28-day treatment, the n-benzoyl-tyrosyl para-aminobenzoic acid （NBT-PABA） test was carried out to evaluate exocrine pancreatic function. Then, rats were sacrificed, and pancreatic tissues were harvested for histological evaluation. In addition, the mRNA expression of TGF- β 1, TGF- β 1 type Ⅱ receptor （TGF β R 11 ）, Smad3 and Smad7 was determined in pancreatic tissues by using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results： Treatment of CP with MXD improved the PABA recovery, decreased the histological lesion, and reduced the mRNA expression of TGF- β 1, TGF β R 11 and Smad3 （P〈0.05）. However, MXD had no effect on Smad7 mRNA level. Conclusions： MXD could protect the pancreas against chronic injury and improve pancreatic exocrine function in DBTC induced rat CP model. Its mechanism may involve inhibition of the TGF-β 1/Smads signaling pathway.     

Late presentation of small bowel obstruction following blunt abdominal trauma

Background

Motor vehicle accidents have increasingly become a major cause of serious blunt abdominal and chest injury, the pattern and mechanism of which has changed in recent years largely due to seatbelt legislation.

Aim

A case of blunt abdominal and chest trauma is reported which resulted in a mesenteric tear — the small bowel subsequently herniated through and strangulated.

Conclusion

This case highlights the need for clinical suspicion, serial physical examination and early surgery in the management of these injuries.     

The effect of inclement weather on ankle fracture management in an Irish trauma unit

Introduction

Ireland is unfamiliar with extreme weather conditions. Such conditions occurred in winter 2009–2010 and 2010–2011, with much of the country being affected by snow and ice. We reviewed the effect that these conditions had on the treatment of ankle fractures in our trauma unit.

Materials and methods

The study period was from November until February for four consecutive years from 2008–2009 until 2011–2012. We compared two winters with extreme weather with two winters with regular weather conditions. Information from Met Eireann was compared with demographics from patient records to differentiate ice-related injuries from non-ice-related injuries. Ankle fractures were classified using the Lauge-Hansen classification. We compared waiting times in A&E, waiting times for theatre, delays relating to injury severity, and overall length of stay for both groups.

Results

We identified 44 ice-related injuries and 67 non-ice-related injuries. Ice-related injuries trended towards more severe fracture configurations using the Lauge-Hansen classification. Patients sustaining ankle injuries during inclement weather were significantly younger than patients sustaining injuries during regular weather conditions. There were no other significant differences between the two groups.

Discussion

Ice-related injuries trended towards a greater severity of fracture configuration. We identified no significant increase in the time to treatment or overall length of stay of patients sustaining ankle fractures during these times. Ice-related injuries did not have greater rates of complications. These results are a testament to the trauma staff in this unit who absorbed the increased workload without compromising patient care.     

改良补肾活血方对实验性骨关节炎兔子模型的控制代谢及抗氧化作用

Objective: To observe the metabolic, regulatory and anti-oxidative effects of modified Bushen Huoxue Decoction (BSHXD, 补肾活血方), a Chinese herbal medicine for Kidney (Shen)-reinforcement and blood-activation, on an osteoarthritis (OA) rabbit model. Methods: A rabbit model for knee joint OA was established by the classic Hulth''s method. The OA model rabbits were randomized into 5 groups: the model control group, the positive control group treated with glucosamine sulfate, and the three BSHXD treated groups treated respectively with low, moderate, and high doses of BSHXD. In addition, a normal control group and a sham-operated group were set up. Experimental animals were sacrificed after a 7-week treatment, and pathological changes in cartilaginous tissue were estimated using the Mankin criteria. Hydroxyproline (Hyp) and malonaldehyde (MDA) contents in blood serum and urine, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and nitric oxide (NO) content in blood serum and knee joint synovial homogenates were detected. Results: Mankin scoring showed insignificant statistical differences between the various treatment groups (P>0.05), but all were better than the model control group (P<0.05). Serum and urinary contents of Hyp and MDA as well as serum and synovial levels of NO were significantly lower, but the SOD activity in blood serum and synovial tissue was higher in the BSHXD treated groups than in the model group (P<0.01); the effect of BSHXD was dose-dependent to some extent. Conclusion: The modified BSHXD shows an effect of improving cartilage metabolism in experimental rabbits with OA, and possesses osteo-chondric protective effects in antagonizing peroxidation injury.     

电针对慢性挤压伤大鼠坐骨神经病理形态学和背根神经节P2X3受体敏感性的影响

Objective: To explore the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the pathomorphology of the sciatic nerve and the role of P2X3 receptors in EA analgesia. Methods: The chronic constriction injury (CCI) model was adopted in this study. A total of 32 rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham CCI, CCI, CCI plus contralateral EA (CCI + conEA) and CCI plus ipsilateral EA (CCI + ipsEA). Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured. EA began at day 7 after the CCI operation and was applied to the Zusanli (ST 36) and Yanglingquan acupoints (GB 34). At day 14, the pathomorphologic changes of the operated sciatic nerve were demonstrated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. In addition, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons isolated from rats were examined by electrophysiological recording to determine if the P2X3 receptor agonists, adenosine 5''-triphosphate disodium (ATP) and α,β-methylen-ATP (α,β-meATP) evoked inward currents. Results: Pain thresholds in the CCI group were obviously decreased post CCI surgery (P<0.01). In the EA groups, thermal and mechanical threshold values were increased after the last EA treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in light microscopic examination among the four groups (P>0.05). Current amplitude after application of ATP and α,β-meATP in DRG neurons were much larger in the CCI group compared to those obtained in sham CCI (P<0.05). ATP and α, β-meATP invoked amplitudes in the CCI + EA groups were reduced. There was no significant difference between the CCI + conEA group and the CCI + ipsEA group (P>0.05). Conclusion : EA analgesia may be mediated by decreasing the response of P2X3 receptors to the agonists ATP and α,β-meATP in the DRG of rats with CCI. No pathological changes of the sciatic nerve of rats were observed after EA treatment.