Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (在线): 1-6.

   

Effect of electroacupuncture on apoptosis of neurons in cerebral cortex of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury at "Shuigou" and "Baihui" points

LIU Danni1,2,3, SUN Guanghua1,2,3, ZHOU Guijuan1,2,3, LIU Hongya1,2,3, ZHOU Jun1,2,3,4, TAN Jinqu1,2,3, HUANG Xiarong1,2,3, PENG Ting1,2,3, FENG Wei-bin1,2,3, LUO Fu1,2,3   

  1. 1The First Affiliated Hospital, Rehabilitation Medicine Center, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001,China, 2 The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Rehabilitation, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001,China, 3The First Affiliated Hospital, Rehabilitation Laboratory, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001,China, 4Rehabilitation Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
  • Online:2022-01-08 Published:2022-02-12

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion injury is commonly seen in patients with ischaemic stroke and seriously affects their prognosis, so it is important to explore effective treatments to alleviate ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Electroacupuncture can effectively improve the symptoms of neurological deficits in ischaemic stroke. 
Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effect of electroacupuncture treatment on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury rats and its effect on neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex. 
Methods Forty-eight male 3-month-old SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, model group, and electroacupuncture group, 16 rats each. Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion experiments were performed on all rats in the model and electroacupuncture groups on the left middle cerebral artery for 2 h of ischemia and 6 h of reperfusion. Rats in the sham-operated group, only the carotid artery was exposed and freed. Then, 16 rats in the electroacupuncture group were subjected to "Baihui" and "Shuigou" interventions, choosing sparse and dense waves at 3 Hz/15 Hz and 1 mA, for 20 min, once a day for 5 d. On the 5th day after the model was made, all rats were assessed for neurological impairment using the Longa Neurological Function Score; TTC solution was used to determine the infarct volume; Elisa was used to detect the level of inflammatory factors; TUNEL was used to detect apoptosis; RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-8, respectively. 
Results Compared with the sham-operated group, the neurological function scores of rats in the model group were significantly higher (P < 0.01); the brain infarct volume of rats was significantly higher (P < 0.01); the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the left cerebral cortex area of rats was significantly increased
(P < 0.01); the levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-18 and TNF-a were increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01,P < 0.01); Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 mRNA expression in the cerebral cortex area of rats was significantly higher (P < 0.01, P < 0.01); Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 protein expression in the cerebral cortex area of rats was significantly higher (P < 0.01,P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the neurological function scores of rats in the electroacupuncture group were reduced (P < 0.05); the volume of cerebral infarction in rats was reduced(P < 0.05); the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the left cerebral cortex area of rats was significantly reduced (P < 0.01); the levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-18 and TNF-a were reduced (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05); Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 mRNA expression in the cerebral cortex area of rats was significantly reduced (P < 0.01, P < 0.01); Caspase-3 and Caspase-8 protein expression in the cerebral cortex area of rats was significantly reduced (P < 0.01,P < 0.01). 
Conclusion Electroacupuncture treatment may exert neuroprotective effects by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis in the rat cerebral cortex and alleviating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Key words: electroacupuncture, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, apoptosis, inflammation