The Effect of Electroacupuncture versus Manual Acupuncture through the Expression of TrkB/NF‐κB in the Subgranular Zone of the Dentate Gyrus of Telomerase‐Deficient Mice

Abstract

Our previous study showed that the acupuncture stimulation on the acupoint (ST-36) could activate the brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) signaling pathways in telomerase-deficient mice. Recently, we set out to investigate whether the manual acupuncture (MA) or electroacupuncture (EA) displays a therapeutic advantage on age-related deterioration of learning and memory. Both telomerase-deficient mice (Terc−/− group, n = 24) and wild-type mice (WT group, n = 24) were randomly assigned to 3 subgroups (CON, controls with no treatment; MA, mice receiving manual acupuncture; EA, mice receiving electric acupuncture). The mice were subjected to behavior test, and EA/MA were applied at bilateral acupoints (ST36) 30 min daily for 7 successive days. The brain tissues were collected after the last Morris water maze (MWM) test and were subjected to the immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. The MWM test showed that EA can significantly increase the time in target quadrant (P ≤ 0.01) and frequency of locating platform for Terc−/− mice (P ≤ 0.05), while nothing changed in WT mice. Furthermore, western blotting and immunohistochemistry suggested that EA could also specifically increase the expression of TrkB and NF-κB in Terc−/− mice but not in wild-type mice (P ≤ 0.05). Meanwhile, the expression level and ratio of ERK/p-ERK did not exhibit significant changes in each subgroup. These results indicated that, compared with MA, the application of EA could specifically ameliorate the spatial learning and memory capability for telomerase-deficient mice through the activation of TrkB and NF-κB.

Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for cognitive impairment: the microbiome–gut–brain axis and its role

“…With regard to the difference between the effects of EA and MA on cognitive impairment, it is generally recognized that EA stimulation shows a more beneficial effect on neurodegenerative diseases ( Lin et al, 2018 ). Studies found that EA activated more callback brain regions and functional connectivity than MA ( Liu et al, 2023 ) due to the electrical twitching of surrounding tissues it produced ( Yamamoto et al, 2011 ).…”

“…First, MA and EA might exert different therapeutic effects through respective mechanisms related to the characteristics of diseases ( Yu et al, 2014 ). For example, ( Lin et al, 2018 ) pointed out that EA might promote neuroprotection and neuronal regeneration through TrkB and NF-kB signal pathways, while MA could activate the BDNF and its downstream signaling pathways ( Ferrón Sacri et al, 2009 ). Second, the effect of MA depends on acupuncture points, stimulating intensity ( Jiang et al, 2013 ) and courses of treatment, as well as the “De-Qi” feeling ( Lin et al, 2018 ).…”

Efficacy of acupuncture in patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease and its impact on gut microbiota: Study protocol for a randomized sham-controlled trial

“…The effects of acupuncture can be further enhanced by electrical stimulation or manual manipulation. Electroacupuncture is believed to be more repeatable, and more effective in ameliorating the spatial learning and memory capability (49). The parameters of electroacupuncture, including waveform and frequency, are also important factors influencing treatment response.…”

A true response of the brain network during electroacupuncture stimulation at scalp acupoints: An fMRI with simultaneous EAS study

“…Because the stimulation parameters are easily controlled and the stimulation models are correspondingly stable, the clinical application of electroacupuncture stimulation (EAS) has become popular (Napadow et al, 2005;Zhang et al, 2014a). A number of studies have confirmed that EAS produces better subjective evaluations of treatment effects than traditional acupuncture (Lin et al, 2018;Schliessbach et al, 2011).…”