Efficacy of acupuncture in animal models of vascular dementia: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Abstract

Background and purposeAcupuncture is widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of vascular diseases. However, the protocol, efficacy, and mechanism of acupuncture in animal models of vascular dementia are still controversial. Based on the above problems, we initiated this comprehensive study.MethodsTo analyze the literatures included in this study, 4 databases were searched and the SYRCLE's Risk of bias tool was employed. To perform the subgroup analysis of different acupuncture methods and the Review Manager 5.3 was applied. Meanwhile, the pairwise and network meta-analysis were conducted using Addis 1.16.8. The outcomes included escape latency, number of crossings, time spent in the target quadrant, and swimming speed.ResultsForty-two studies with a total of 1,486 animals were included in this meta-analysis. According to the results from subgroup analysis, GV20 + ST36 (Baihui + bilateral Zusanli) combined with 14-day manual acupuncture can obtain best improvement of the rats cognitive function among all acupuncture regimens (MD: −23.41; 95%CI: −26.66, −20.15; I2 = 0%; P < 0.001). The heterogeneity of other acupuncture treatments was significantly higher than that of GV20 + ST36, because the treatment courses were not uniform. Pair-wise and network comparisons are highly consistent. The major results of the network meta-analysis were as follows, In comparison to the impaired group, the acupuncture group showed significantly reduced escape latency (MD: −25.87; 95%CI: −30.75, −21.12), increased number of original platform crossings (MD: 2.63; 95%CI: 1.94, 3.34) and time spent in the target quadrant (MD: 7.88; 95%CI: 4.25, 11.44). The overall results of the network meta-analysis are as follows: the normal and sham-operated groups performed the best, followed by medicine and acupuncture, while no effect was found in the impaired group treated with non-acupoint and palliative.ConclusionsAcupuncture significantly improves cognitive function in rats with vascular dementia. Compared to other acupuncture plans, (GV20 + ST36, MA) and 14 -day manual acupuncture can be used to obtain better results. The main mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of vascular dementia is reduced oxidative stress, neuronal inflammation, and apoptosis, as well as the increased synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitters.Systematic review registrationhttps://inplasy.com/inplasy-2021-11-0036/, identifier: INPLASY2021110036.

Can acupuncture reverse oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory damage in animal models of vascular dementia?: A preclinical systematic review and meta-analysis

“…To our knowledge, there have been 3 systematic reviews of acupuncture improving cognition in animals. [62–64] Our findings are similar to those of previous studies on the Morris water maze, yet compensate for their deficiencies. As previous studies have only revealed behavioral performance, [63,64] we analyzed the number and proportion of neurons from stained sections and compared specific markers for oxidative stress and neuronal inflammation (Fig.…”

Emerging evidence that ginseng components improve cognition in subjective memory impairment, mild cognitive impairment, and early Alzheimer's disease dementia

“…Currently, three categories of medicines have been approved by the FDA for conventional treatment of AD dementia. One is an acetylcholine degradation inhibitor or NMDA receptor antagonist [ 10 , 60 ], while another is a recently approved antibody treatment designed to eliminate Aβ peptides or inhibits Aβ polymerization, otherwise resulting in brain amyloid plaque accumulations [ 43 , 44 ]. Acetylcholine degradation inhibitors or NMDA receptor antagonists only offer symptomatic relief for AD dementia but do not represent a comprehensive cure.…”

“…Numerous clinical studies related to cognitive improvements have shown that acute and long-term ginseng extract or ginseng components, such as G115, Cereboost™, or gintonin intake, do not cause adverse events [ 22 , 31 , 44 , 60 ]. The frequency of adverse effects (nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, and pruritus) was comparable with that in the placebo group.…”

The effect of acupuncture on oxidative stress in animal models of vascular dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Meanwhile, the underlying mechanisms are being explored extensively. A recent systematic review summarized that the main mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of VaD includes reduced oxidative stress, anti-neuroinflammation, and anti-apoptosis, as well as regulation of synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitters [ 23 ]. Although numerous experiments have focused on the antioxidative effects of acupuncture on VaD, [ 24 – 26 ], a systematic review regarding the effect of acupuncture on oxidative stress in VaD is still lacking.…”