Effects of acupuncture on recognition and apoptosis in the hippocampus after cerebral ischemia
10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-1424.2024.10.001
- VernacularTitle:智三针疗法对脑缺血小鼠认知功能缺损及海马神经元细胞凋亡的影响
- Author:
Qin WANG
1
;
Bin SHAO
;
Jie TU
;
Ping HUANG
;
Huamao LI
;
Hongyu LIN
Author Information
1. 中部战区总医院康复医学科，武汉 430070
- Keywords:
Ischemia;
Acupuncture;
Recognition;
Caspase-3
- From:
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2024;46(10):865-870
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the effect of Zhisanzhen acupuncture on cognition ability and apoptosis in the hippocampus using a murine model of cerebral ischemia.Methods:Thirty-two male C57 mice were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a sham acupuncture group and a Zhisanzhen group, each of 8. All except the control group received middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R) surgery. Successful modeling was confirmed using Bederson scoring and 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Beginning 24 hours after successful modeling, the Zhisanzhen group was given 30 minutes of acupuncture at the Shenting and bilateral Benshen points with the injection 3mm deep daily for five days The sham acupuncture group was given acupuncture at 5 mm next to the Shenting and bilateral Benshen points 3mm deep. Twenty-four hours after the last session of acupuncture, the rats′ cognition was tested using a water maze. After the experiment the hippocampus was sampled on the affected side and any apoptosis of hippocampal neurons was detected using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assays. Changes in caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3 protein and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) protein in the hippocampal tissue were evaluated using western blotting. The total serine phosphorylation level of caspase-3 protein was detected using immunoprecipitation.Results:Compared to the model and the sham groups, the average escape latency in the Zhisanzhen group was significantly shorter and the times crossing the platform was significantly greater. There were significantly fewer TUNEL-positive cells in the Zhisanzhen group on average, and less caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3, but significantly more p38-MAPK and greater serine phosphorylation of its substrate caspase-3.Conclusion:Zhisanzhen acupuncture can ameliorate recognition difficulties after cerebral ischemia. It promotes phosphorylation of caspase-3, limiting its cleavage and activation, and decreasing neuron apoptosis in the hippocampus.
