Electroacupuncture improves recovery after hemorrhagic brain injury by inducing the expression of angiopoietin-1 and -2 in rats

Abstract

BackgroundAngiopoietin (Ang) is one of the major effectors of angiogenesis, playing a critical role in neurovascular remodeling after stroke. Acupuncture has been widely used for treating stroke in China for a long time. Recently, we have demonstrated that electroacupuncture (EA) can accelerate intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced angiogenesis in rats. In the present study, we investigated the effect of EA on the expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 in the brain after ICH.MethodsICH was induced by stereotactic injection of collagenase type VII into the right globus pallidus. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into the following four groups: sham-operation (SHAM), stroke-no electroacupuncture (SNE), stroke-EA at the Zusanli acupoint (SEZ), and stroke-EA at a nonacupoint (SEN). EA was applied to the bilateral Zusanli (ST36) acupoint in the SEZ group and a nonacupoint in the SEN group. The expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).ResultsSome Ang-1 and Ang-2 immunoreactive microvessels with a dilated outline were detected in the perihematomal tissues after ICH, and the vessels extended into the clot from the surrounding area since day 7. The expression of Ang-1 increased notably as long as 2 weeks after ICH, while Ang-2 immunoreactivity declined at about 7 days following a striking upregulation at 3 days. EA at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint upregulated the expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 at both the protein and mRNA levels. However, EA at a nonacupoint had little effect on the expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2.ConclusionsOur data suggest that EA at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint exerts neuroprotective effects on hemorrhagic stroke by upregulation of Ang-1 and Ang-2.

Electroacupunctre improves motor impairment via inhibition of microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in the sensorimotor cortex after ischemic stroke

“…Therefore, attenuating of neuroinflammation effectively protects brain, which is considered as an important therapeutic strategy for improving neurological function after ischemic stroke [19][20]. Studies have demonstrated that EA at the acupoints attenuate inflammation for limiting neurological deficits in brain injury following ischemic stroke [21][22][23]. Our previous studies have found that EA at the LI 11 and ST 36 acupoints improved the ischemia-associated scores of neurological deficits via inhibition of the toll-like receptor (TLR) 4/NF-κB signaling pathway following focal cerebral ischemia [24].…”

The role of electroacupuncture in stroke treatment: A systematic review of the literature

“…EA at the Zusanli acupoint has been shown to accelerate intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced angiogenesis in rats (Luo et al, 2013). After EA to the bilateral Zusanli (ST36) acupoint in adult rats, the expression of Ang-1 (from 3 days to 14 days) and Ang-2 (at 3 days) was upregulated after hemorrhagic stroke at both the protein and mRNA levels (P<0.05), thus exerting neuroprotective effects (Zhou et al, 2014). Furthermore, EA has also exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect after stroke in rats .…”

“…It is currently believed that angiogenesis promotes neurogenesis since it supports the recovering neural networks (Ohab et al, 2006). The angiopoietin (Ang) family, including Ang-1 and Ang-2, is one of the major effectors of angiogenesis (Zhou et al, 2014). Ang-1 and Ang-2 have been shown to regulate ischemia-induced angiogenesis in rat brains .…”

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials of Liangxue Tongyu Formula on Patients With Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage

“…In routine clinic, the treatment of acute ICH mainly adopts the western conventional medicine (WCM), such as preventing further bleeding, controlling brain edema, decreasing intracranial pressure, maintaining life function, and preventing complications (Dimitre et al, 2010). Obviously, the actual efficacy of the WCM alone does not meet expectations (Andaluz and Zuccarello, 2009;Zhou et al, 2014). Therefore, new treatment drugs need to be developed under the guidance of evidence-based medicine.…”