Effect of Electroacupuncture on Cell Apoptosis and ERK Signal Pathway in the Hippocampus of Adult Rats with Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion

Abstract

Background. EA therapy is a traditional therapeutic approach for alleviation of cerebral I/R-induced brain injury. We investigated the effect of EA on MCAO rat model to examine the mechanism of apoptosis in the rat hippocampus. Methods. 200 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham, I/R, EA, ERK inhibitor (PD), and ERK inhibitor+EA (PD+EA) groups. Each group was subdivided into 5 groups according to different time points. Locomotor behaviors were evaluated using neurological scales and morphological examination was performed using HE staining. Apoptosis index of neural cells in local infarcted area was measured by TUNEL and p-ERK expression was detected using immunohistochemistry technique and western blot analysis. Results. Neurological deficit scores and neural apoptosis in the EA group were lower than I/R group at the same time points, respectively. At different time points, p-ERK level was increased in the ischemic hippocampal CA1 in the EA group as compared to I/R group; the increased level was increased most at 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week (p < 0.01). Conclusion. EA alleviates neurological deficit, reduces apoptosis index, and simultaneously upregulates the expression of p-ERK signal pathway in rats subjected to I/R injury.

Mechanisms of Acupuncture in the Regulation of Oxidative Stress in Treating Ischemic Stroke

“…Zusanli, as a well-known acupoint good at strengthening the body resistance to eliminate pathogenic factors, could exert multiple neuroprotective roles in the recovery process of ischemic stroke. Acupuncture at Zusanli was found to ameliorate oxidative damage via inhibition of NOX-mediated ROS generation [ 74 ], as well as have an antiapoptotic effect and modulate the expression of anti-inflammatory mediators [ 104 , 105 ]. Moreover, although Baihui plus Dazhui is the most common acupoint combination in this review, which appeared in 29.2% of the studies, there is still no universal standard for the combination of acupoints in the antioxidant studies of acupuncture in treating ischemic stroke.…”

Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Cerebral Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury by Regulation of Autophagy and Apoptosis

“…The sections were scanned and analyzed by using computerized image analysis software (Image-Pro-Plus). Infarct volume was analyzed using 5 slices of 3 mm coronal sections from each brain and calculated with the following formula: infarct volume (%) = (contralateral hemisphere volume − surgery side without infarct volume)/contralateral hemisphere volume × 100% [ 15 , 16 ].…”

Mechanisms of Acupuncture Therapy in Ischemic Stroke Rehabilitation: A Literature Review of Basic Studies

“…Studies of EA stimulation at multiple acupoints including Zusanli (ST36), Hegu (LI4), Quchi (LI11), Dazhui (GV14), Fengfu (GV16), Baihui (GV20), Shenting (GV24), Renzhong (GV26), Chengjiang (CV24), Chize (LU5), and Sanyinjiao (SP6) reveal the upregulation of anti-apoptotic-related factors, such as the Bcl-2/Bax ratio [ 38 , 39 ], via the activation of the PI3K/Akt, ERK1/2 [ 40 , 41 ] and p38 MAPK/CREB pathways [ 42 ], the downregulation of the S100B [ 43 ] and NF-kB pathways [ 44 ], and a reduction in the expression of TRPM7 [ 45 ] and JAK2 [ 46 ]. The study evidence in support of this section can be seen in the supplementary file ( Table S6 ).…”

“…Baihui: Baihui is implicated in the modulation of neurotransmission by increasing dopamine levels [ 47 ] and improving memory via LTP recovery in the hippocampus [ 62 ]. Zusanli: improves cognitive hippocampus function by modulating the cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway [ 61 ], stimulates neurogenesis [ 23 , 24 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], exerts a neuroprotective role against oxidative damage [ 34 , 35 , 38 , 39 , 52 , 53 , 56 ], has an anti-apoptotic effect [ 41 ] and improves the expression of different anti-inflammatory mediators [ 57 , 58 ]. Quchi: promotes neuronal cell proliferation [ 23 , 24 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], activates PI3K/Akt pathways to prevent apoptosis [ 38 , 39 ], reduces ischemic brain damage through anti-inflammation [ 58 ] and improves metabolism in the affected area [ 60 ].…”