Electroacupuncture at Baihui Point and Dazhui Point Regulates Microglial Activation-Mediated HIF-1α,VEGF,IL-1β and TNF-α to Promote Neurological Recovery in Rats with Ischemic Stroke
10.13359/j.cnki.gzxbtcm.2025.05.023
- VernacularTitle:电针百会和大椎调控小胶质细胞活化介导的HIF-1α、VEGF、IL-1β和TNF-α促进缺血性脑卒中大鼠神经功能恢复
- Author:
Guiqian WANG
1
;
Peihao YU
;
Hai HUANG
;
Yanchun WANG
Author Information
1. 湖北中医药大学,湖北 武汉 430065
- Keywords:
electroacupuncture;
Baihui(GV20);
Dazhui(GV14);
ischemic stroke;
microglia;
HIF-1α;
VEGF;
IL-1β;
TNF-α;
neurological function;
rats
- From:
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;42(5):1195-1202
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To explore the long-term and short-term therapeutic effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture at Baihui(GV20)point and Dazhui(GV14)point in rats with ischemic stroke.Methods Thirty rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group,a model group,and an electroacupuncture group,with 10 rats in each group.The model group and the electroacupuncture group were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)using the modified Longa method.The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Baihui point and Dazhui point once daily for one week.Long-term neurological recovery was assessed using the adhesive removal test and the forelimb placement test at 14,21 and 28 days after MCAO.On the second day after MCAO,cerebral cortical histopathological changes were observed using transmission electron microscopy,the expression of Iba-1 in cortical tissue was detected by immunofluorescence,and the expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(HIF-1α),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),interleukin 1β(IL-1β),and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)in cortical tissue were measured by Western Blot.Results(1)Compared with the sham-operated group at the same time points,the model group showed prolonged adhesive removal time and increased forelimb stepping times at 14,21 and 28 days after MCAO(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group at the same time points,the electroacupuncture group exhibited significantly shortened adhesive removal time and reduced forelimb stepping times at 14,21 and 28 days after MCAO(P＜0.05).Within 28 days after MCAO,the adhesive removal time was gradually decreased,and forelimb stepping times were gradually reduced.(2)On the second day after MCAO:compared with the sham-operated group,the model group showed degeneration and necrosis of microglia in cortical ischemic penumbra,mitochondrial damage,increased expression of Iba-1 in cortical tissue,and elevated levels of HIF-1α,VEGF,IL-1β and TNF-α,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the electroacupuncture group exhibited the improvement of microglia injury in cortical ischemic penumbra,reduced expression of Iba-1 in cortical tissue and decreased levels of HIF-1α,VEGF,IL-1β and TNF-α,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Baihui point and Dazhui point can improve symptoms in rats with ischemic stroke in the long term and ameliorate degeneration and necrosis of cortical microglia in the ischemic penumbra in the short term.The mechanism may be related to the downregulation of HIF-1α,VEGF,IL-1β and TNF-α expressions in cerebral cortical tissue and the inhibition of microglial transformation to the M1 phenotype.
