Effect of Electro-acupuncture on Vasomotor Symptoms in Rats with Acute Cerebral Infarction Based on Phosphatidylinositol System

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on vasomotor symptoms in rats with acute cerebral infarction, by observing the changes in the expression of factors related to the phosphatidylinositol (PI) system. Methods Forty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups by a random number table: the control group ( n =6), the model group ( n =18) and the EA group ( n =18). The EA group was given EA treatment at Shuigou (GV 26) instantly after modeling with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method, while the model and control groups were not given any treatment. The degrees of neurological deficiency were evaluated using neurological severity scores (NSS) and the brain blood flow was evaluated by a laser scanning confocal microscope. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the expression levels of G-protein subtype (Gq) and calmodulin (CaM). Competition for protein binding was conducted to detect the expression level of inositol triphosphate (IP3). Thin layer quantitative analysis was conducted to detect the expression level of diacylglycerol (DAG). The expression level of intracellular concentration of free calcium ion ([Ca 2+ ] i ) was detected by flow cytometry. Results The NSS of the model group was significantly higher than the control group at 3 and 6 h after MCAO ( P <0.01), while the EA group was significantly lower than the model group at 6 h ( P <0.01). The cerebral blood flow in the model group was significantly lower than the control group at 1, 3 and 6 h after MCAO ( P <0.01), while for the EA group it was remarkably higher than the model group at the same time points ( P <0.01). The expressions of Gq, CaM, IP3, DAG and [Ca 2+ ] i in the model group were significantly higher than the control group ( P <0.05 or P <0.01), and those in the EA group were significantly lower than the model group at the same time points ( P <0.05 or P <0.01). Conclusion EA treatment at GV 26 can effectively decrease the over-expression of related factors of PI system in rats with acute cerebral infarction, improve cerebral autonomy movement, and alleviate cerebral vascular spasm.

Acupuncture for the treatment of thalamencephalic and mesencephalic injury secondary to electrical trauma: A case report

“…Moreover, acupuncture therapy promotes synaptic plasticity and facilitates nerve repair through different ways (Qing et al, 2016 ). According to some studies, acupuncture has also been shown to be effective in regulating vasomotor contraction and preventing cerebral vasospasm (Ko et al, 2013 ; Li et al, 2022 ). However, it is unfortunate that the case report falls under Level IIIb of the evidence scale developed by the Center for Evidence-based Medicine at the University of Oxford and there are no systematic reviews or randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reports on acupuncture treatment for nerve sequelae resulting from electric injuries as far as.…”

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Potential mechanisms of acupuncture in enhancing cerebral perfusion of ischemic stroke

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