Electroacupuncture pretreatment alleviates post-stroke spasticity in rats by inhibiting NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway-mediated inflammation and neuronal apoptosis
10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2024.11.06
- VernacularTitle:电针预处理通过抑制NF-kB/NLRP3信号通路介导炎症和凋亡改善大鼠脑卒中后痉挛
- Author:
Xiuqi SUN
1
;
Jing CAI
;
Anbang ZHANG
;
Bo PANG
;
Chunyan CHENG
;
Qiqi CHA
;
Fei QUAN
;
Tao YE
Author Information
1. 贵州中医药大学第一附属医院 神经内科,贵州 贵阳 550001
- Keywords:
spasticity after stroke;
electroacupuncture;
NF-κB/NLRP3;
inflammatory response;
apoptosis
- From:
Journal of Southern Medical University
2024;44(11):2102-2109
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture pretreatment(EP)for relieving post-stroke spasticity in rats.Methods Eighteen rats were randomized equally into sham-operated group,middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)group,and MCAO+EP group.In MCAO+EP group,the rats received electroacupuncture at the acupoints Qubin and Baihui for 3 consecutive days prior to MCAO.Neurological deficits and cognitive function of the rats were evaluated,and pathologies in the hippocampus were examined using HE,Nissl,and TUNEL staining.The expressions of IL-4,IL-6,TNF-α,and TMAO in the brain tissues were detected with ELISA,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase-3,and caspase-9 were determined with qRT-PCR,Western blotting,and immunohistochemistry.Results The rats receiving MCAO had significantly increased neurological deficit scores and showed increased muscle tension,number of apoptotic neurons,and expressions of IL-6,TNF-α,NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase-3 and caspase-9 in the hippocampus and significantly reduced length of time for new object recognition.Microscopically,the cells in the hippocampus of the MCAO rats showed uneven and loosened arrangement and unclear cell boundaries.In contrast,the rats in I/R+EP group showed significantly lowered neurological deficit scores and dystonia rating scores,reduced cell apoptosis,lowered hippocampal expressions of IL-6,TNF-α,caspase-3,caspase-9,and NF-κB p65,increased time for new object recognition,tightly arranged and uniformly stained hippocampal cells with clear boundaries,with also an increased number of active neurons and enhanced expression of IL-4 in the hippocampus.Conclusion EP alleviates post-stroke spasticity in rats by inhibiting inflammatory responses and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis mediated by the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
