Electroacupuncture at Baihui and Shenting Regulates BDNF/TrkB-Mediated Microglial Polarization to Improve Insomnia in Rats
10.13359/j.cnki.gzxbtcm.2025.10.023
- VernacularTitle:电针百会、神庭调控BDNF、TrkB介导的小胶质细胞极化改善大鼠失眠
- Author:
Hongchun PU
1
;
Zhiming WANG
;
Yi LI
Author Information
1. 湖南省中医药研究院附属医院康复医学科,湖南长沙 410006
- Keywords:
electroacupuncture;
insomnia;
Baihui(GV20);
Shenting(GV24);
microglia;
BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway;
rats
- From:
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;42(10):2514-2520
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture(EA)at"Baihui"(GV20)and"Shenting"(GV24)acupoints in a rat model of insomnia.Methods An insomnia model was established by intraperitoneal injection of para-chlorophenylalanine(PCPA).Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into four groups(n=9 each):normal control group,EA-treated normal,model,and EA-treated model group.After successful modeling,EA intervention was administered for 7 days.Sleep duration and quality were monitored using an animal sleep-phase analysis system.Hypothalamic levels of serotonin(5-HT),dopamine(DA),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),interleukin 6(IL-6),inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),mannose receptor(CD206),interleukin 10(IL-10),and arginase 1(ARG1)were measured by ELISA.Hypothalamic histopathology was assessed via hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.Western Blot analyzed brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)and its receptor tropomyosin kinase B(TrkB)protein expression.Results Compared with the normal group,rats in the model group exhibited hypothalamic tissue damage,accompanied by reduced 5-HT levels,elevated DA concentrations,and significantly impaired sleep duration and sleep quality scores(P＜0.05).Concurrently,the model group showed increased levels of M1 microglial markers(TNF-α,IL-6,iNOS)but decreased levels of M2 markers(CD206,IL-10,ARG1),alongside diminished protein expression of both BDNF and TrkB in the hypothalamus,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).In contrast,the EA-treated model group demonstrated attenuated hypothalamic lesions relative to the untreated model group.These rats exhibited elevated 5-HT levels,reduced DA concentrations,and significantly improved sleep duration and quality(P＜0.05).Furthermore,EA treatment decreased expression of M1 markers(TNF-α,IL-6,iNOS)while increasing M2 markers(CD206,IL-10,ARG1),with concomitant upregulation of BDNF and TrkB protein expression,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion EA at"Baihui"and"Shenting"alleviates insomnia symptoms by promoting microglial M1-to-M2 polarization,potentially via BDNF/TrkB pathway activation.
