Effect of Huayu Tongluo moxibustion on learning-memory ability in rats with vascular dementia based on hippocampal Mst1/NF-κB p65 pathway.
10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240115-k0001
- Author:
Ping WANG
1
;
Jun YANG
2
;
Yu KONG
3
;
Yating ZHANG
4
;
Yinqiu FAN
2
;
Haiping SHI
2
;
Lanying LIU
5
Author Information
1. Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine/Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of TCM, Nanjing 210029, China; Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province; First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of CM, Hefei
2. First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of CM, Hefei
3. Shenzhen Baoan District Hospital of TCM.
4. Anhui University of CM.
5. Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine/Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of TCM, Nanjing 210029, China; Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Huayu Tongluo moxibustion;
Mst1/NF-κB p65;
hippocampus;
microglia;
neuroinflammatory response;
vascular dementia
- MeSH:
Animals;
Male;
Rats;
Moxibustion;
Hippocampus/metabolism*;
Rats, Wistar;
Dementia, Vascular/genetics*;
Memory/drug effects*;
Humans;
Transcription Factor RelA/genetics*;
Learning;
Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*;
Acupuncture Points;
Interleukin-6/genetics*;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal
- From:
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
2025;45(1):53-60
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of Huayu Tongluo (transforming stasis and unblocking collaterals) moxibustion on learning-memory ability and hippocampal mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1 (Mst1)/nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 pathway related to inflammatory response in rats with vascular dementia (VD).
METHODS:A total of 60 male Wistar rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a sham operation group (12 rats) and a modeling group (48 rats). VD model was established by the method of modified bilateral common carotid artery permanent ligation in the modeling group. Thirty-six rats with successful modeling were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group and a western medication group, with 12 rats in each group. Huayu Tongluo moxibustion was applied at "Dazhui" (GV14), "Baihui" (GV20) and "Shenting" (GV24) in the moxibustion group, 20 min each time, once a day, 7 day-intervention was as one course, and 1 day-interval was taken between two courses, for a total of 3 courses. In the western medication group, piracetam was given 0.72 mg/kg by intragastric administration, twice a day, the course of intervention was same as that of the moxibustion group. The learning-memory ability was detected by Morris water maze test; the morphology of hippocampal CA1 region was observed by HE staining; the mRNA expression of Mst1, M1 microglia markers CD86, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was detected by real-time PCR; the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in hippocampus were detected by ELISA; and the protein expression of Mst1 and NF-κB p65 in hippocampus was detected by Western blot in rats of each group.
RESULTS:Compared with the sham operation group, the escape latency was prolonged in the model group (P<0.05); compared with the model group, the escape latency was shortened in the moxibustion group and the western medication group (P<0.05). The cells in the CA1 region of hippocampus were disordered, cell collapse and irregular nuclei could be observed in the model group; compared with the model group, the cell arrangement in the CA1 region of hippocampus was more regular, and the damage was improved in the moxibustion group and the western medication group. Compared with the sham operation group, the mRNA expression of Mst1, CD86, IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as the protein expression of Mst1, NF-κB p65 in hippocampus were increased in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression of Mst1, CD86, IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as the protein expression of Mst1, NF-κB p65 in hippocampus were decreased in the moxibustion group and the western medication group (P<0.05). Compared with the sham operation group, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in hippocampus were increased in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in hippocampus were decreased in the moxibustion group and the western medication group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION:Huayu Tongluo moxibustion can improve the learning-memory ability of VD rats, the mechanism may be related to regulating the activation of microglia through Mst1/NF-κB p65 pathway, reducing the release of pro-inflammatory factors i.e. IL-6 and TNF-α, so as to alleviating the damage of inflammatory factors in the hippocampus of VD rats.
