Neuroprotective changes in degeneration-related gene expression in the substantia nigra following acupuncture in an MPTP mouse model of Parkinsonism: Microarray analysis

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the death of dopamine-generating cells in the substantia nigra (SN). Acupuncture stimulation results in an enhanced survival of dopaminergic neurons in the SN in Parkinsonism animal models. The present study investigated changes in gene expression profiles measured using whole transcript array in the SN region related to the inhibitory effects of acupuncture in a chronic 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) Parkinsonism model. In this model, acupuncture stimulation at GB34 and LR3 attenuated the decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase in the SN region; stimulation at non-acupoints did not suppress this decrease. Gene array analysis revealed that 22 (10 annotated genes: Cdh1, Itih2, Mpzl2, Rdh9, Serping1, Slc6a13, Slc6a20a, Slc6a4, Tph2, and Ucma) probes that were up-regulated in MPTP animals relative to controls were exclusively down-regulated by acupuncture stimulation. In addition, 17 (two annotated genes: 4921530L21Rik and Gm13931) probes that were down-regulated in MPTP animals compared to controls were exclusively up-regulated by acupuncture stimulation. These findings indicate that the 39 probes (12 annotated genes) affected by MPTP and acupuncture may be responsible for the inhibitory effects of acupuncture on degeneration-related gene expression in the SN following damage induced by MPTP intoxication.

Clinical effectiveness of acupuncture on Parkinson disease

“…Some preclinical randomized trials clarify the mechanism in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) for the efficacy of acupuncture points LR3, GB34, and GV20 in PD, such as preventing the cell death of SNpc. [ 41 , 42 ] According to this evidence, we recommend acupuncture points LR3, GB34, and GV20 of the WHO standard acupuncture points as the basic acupuncture points for clinical treatment settings. [ 43 ] Their use may result in higher quality clinical trials and treatment.…”

Electroacupuncture Promotes Recovery of Motor Function and Reduces Dopaminergic Neuron Degeneration in Rodent Models of Parkinson’s Disease

“…Most reports have used i.p. injections of MPTP in mice to evaluate the therapeutic effects of manual acupuncture for 15 s at the GB34 and LR3 acupoints [ 21 , 27 , 28 ]. In one study, acupuncture at GB34 and LR3 decreased in tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity and generated neuroprotective effects in the SN and striatum on days 1, 3, and 7 post-MPTP injection in mice [ 21 ].…”

The trophic effect of nerve growth factor in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons is associated to an anti‐inflammatory and immunosuppressive transcriptional program

“…Among the initiator molecules of the complement CP and LP, we observed the over‐expression of C1qRP , a receptor for C1q, and the down‐regulation of C1‐inh , a serine protease for C1s, that is linked to a neuroprotective action (Bohlson, Silva, Fonseca, & Tenner, ; Taylor, Arner, Blom, & Ghosh, ; Tieaskie, ; Veerhuis et al, ; Yeo et al, ). Our analysis also revealed a down‐regulation of Factor B, an important serine esterase of the AP, whose inhibition is in line with the survival effects exerted by the encoded pro‐inflammatory protein in different cell types (Singh et al, ; Thurman, Ljubanovic, Edelstein, Gilkeson, & Holers, ).…”