Effects of Acupuncture on Hippocampal Synaptic Transmission Signal Molecules in Rats with Vascular Dementia
10.3969/j.issn.1005-5304.2016.07.020
- VernacularTitle:针刺对血管性痴呆大鼠海马突触传递相关信号分子的影响
- Author:
Hui LI
;
Xuerui WANG
;
Jingwen YANG
;
Siqi DU
;
Wen ZHU
;
Caishuo JI
;
Cunzhi LIU
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
acupuncture;
vascular dementia;
hippocampus;
PKC;
CAMKⅡ;
NR2B;
rats
- From:
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine
2016;23(7):77-81
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture on synaptic transmission signal molecules in rats with vascular dementia (VD), such as PKC, CaMKⅡ and NR2B, and discuss the molecular mechanism of acupuncture treatment for VD.Methods The multi-infarct dementia model was established by injection of emboli into the internal carotid artery. Experimental rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, acupuncture group and non-acupoint group. For acupuncture group, acupuncture needles were penetrated into bilateral Zusanli. Non-acupoint group was given acupuncture treatment at the bilateral hypochondrium (10 mm above iliac crest). The rats in normal group and model group were performed to the same amount of capture stimulation as the acupuncture and non-acupoint groups. After treatment, the hippocampal PKC activity was detected by ELISA. Western blot was used to detect CaMKⅡ expression, and the protein expression of NR2B in CA1, CA3 and DG zones was assayed by immunohistochemical staining.Results Compared with normal group, PKC activity and NR2B expression in the hippocampus significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01). After the acupuncture treatment, PKC activity increased significantly (P<0.05), and the protein expression of NR2B showed a trend to increase. There was no obvious difference in CaMKⅡ expression among all groups.Conclusion Acupuncture at Zusanli can enhance the activity of hippocampal PKC, a synaptic transmission signal molecule, which maybe one of the important molecular targets for the treatment of VD.