Effect of Electrical Stimulation of the Vagus Nerve on Inflammation in Rats With Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of electroacupuncture stimulation (EAS) of the vagus nerve on the inflammatory response in rat models of spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: The T10 SCI model in adult male Sprague Dawley rats was established using the modified Allen's method. The EAS group was treated with the therapy on the vagus nerve of rat ear nails, while the SCI group did not receive any EAS treatment. The degree of inflammatory infiltration was reflected by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The inflammatory cytokines in spinal cord tissues, cerebrospinal fluid inflammation, and peripheral blood were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Changes in astrocytes and microglia were assessed using an immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: Electroacupuncture stimulation treatment inhibited inflammatory infiltration, as well as the concentrations of interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, astrocytes, and microglia at 1, 6, and 24 hours after 1 EAS treatment. Multiple EAS treatments had an obvious effect on SCI inflammation. CONCLUSION: A single EAS treatment had a limited effect on inflammation, but multiple treatments had a significant inhibitory effect on inflammation.