Electroacupuncture for improving the learning and memory of rats with cerebral palsy
10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-1424.2024.08.001
- VernacularTitle:电针百会穴和大椎穴对脑瘫大鼠学习记忆能力及miR-126介导的血管内皮生长因子/Notch1通路的影响
- Author:
Jie WU
1
;
Aidi QIAO
;
Shengyan HU
;
Hao WANG
;
Dong WANG
Author Information
1. 义乌市妇幼保健院，金华 322000
- Keywords:
Cerebral palsy;
Electroacupuncture;
Learning;
Memory;
miR-126;
VEGF/Notch1 signalling
- From:
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2024;46(8):673-679
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore any effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at the Baihui (DU20) and Dazhui (GV14) acupoints on the learning and memory of rats modeling cerebral palsy (CP), and on the miR-126 regulated VEGF/Notch1 pathway.Methods:Fifty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats 7 days old with an average weight of (20±5g) were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, and an electroacupuncture group, each of 18. All except the sham operation group had a model of CP induced using left common carotid artery ligation combined with hypoxia. Twenty-four hours after successful modelling, the EA group received 14 sessions of electroacupuncture at the DU20 and GV14 acupoints, once every other day. On the 29th day, learning and memory ability were evaluated using a Morris Water Maze. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF and VEGFR-2) was detected using immunohistochemical staining. The levels of notch1 and hes1 protein were quantified using western blotting, and the expression of miR-126 RNA was quantified using reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions (RT-qPCRs).Results:Compared with the sham group, there was a significant decrease in the average learning and memory, and the level of miR126 in the model group, but a significant increase in the expression of VEGF and VEGFR-2 and the levels of notch1 and hes1. Significant improvement was observed in all of the measurements of the EA group compared with the model group.Conclusions:Electroacupuncture at the DU20 and GV14 acupoints can improve the ability of learning and memory of rats modeling CP. The mechanism may be related to regulation of the VEGF/notch1 pathway by miR-126 and its promotion of angiogenesis.
