Study of the mechanism of electroacupuncture regulating ferroptosis, inhibiting bladder neck fibrosis, and improving bladder urination function after suprasacral spinal cord injury using proteomics

Abstract: Purpose The aim of this study was to explore whether electroacupuncture regulates phenotypic transformation of smooth muscle cells by inhibiting ferroptosis and inhibiting fibrosis, thereby improving bladder urination function after suprasacral spinal cord injury (SSCI). Methods The experiment was divided into sham, model, and electroacupuncture group. After 10 days of electroacupuncture intervention, urodynamic examination was performed, and bladder neck was taken for HE staining, tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics analysis, Western blot(WB) detection, ferrous ion concentration detection and Masson staining. Conclusion Electroacupuncture may prevent the phenotype of bladder neck smooth muscle cells from transforming from contraction type to synthesis type by inhibiting ferroptosis, inhibit bladder neck fibrosis, improve bladder neck compliance, and thus improve bladder urination function after SSCI.