Effects of Electroacupuncture at Baihui Point and Dazhui Point on Cognitive Impairment and ROCK2/PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in 5xFAD Model Mice
10.13359/j.cnki.gzxbtcm.2025.11.025
- VernacularTitle:电针百会、大椎对5xFAD模型小鼠认知障碍及ROCK2/PI3K/AKT信号通路的影响
- Author:
Hao ZHEN
1
;
Tong YIN
;
Shuqi CHEN
;
Rui MA
;
Youcan PAN
Author Information
1. 广州中医药大学针灸康复临床医学院,广东 广州 510006
- Keywords:
electroacupuncture;
Alzheimer's disease;
Baihui(GV20);
Dazhui(GV14);
Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2;
PI3K/AKT signaling pathway;
Aβ deposition;
inflammatory responses;
5xFAD mice
- From:
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;42(11):2798-2806
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture at Baihui(GV20)point and Dazhui(GV14)point on cognitive function and potential mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease(AD)mice.Methods Forty-eight male five-transgenic familial Alzheimer's disease(5xFAD)mice were divided into four groups:empty vector group,knockdown group,empty vector+electroacupuncture group,and knockdown+electroacupuncture group.The knockdown group received Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2(ROCK2)knockdown via adeno-associated virus(AAV)microinjection technology.Knockdown efficiency was verified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR),and gene expression levels were confirmed by Western Blot.After 4 weeks of viral expression and transfection,electroacupuncture intervention at Baihui and Dazhui acupoints was administered for 4 weeks.Cognitive function was assessed using behavioral tests.Pathological products,inflammatory markers[interleukin 6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)],and changes in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were detected using immunofluorescence staining,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and Western Blot techniques.Results Compared with the empty vector group,the ROCK2 knockdown group showed significantly improved spatial and contextual memory(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),reduced amyloid deposition and inflammatory indicators(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and increased expression levels of phosphorylated protein kinase B(P-AKT)and phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(P-PI3K)(P＜0.01),while the knockdown+electroacupuncture group exhibited more pronounced effects than knockdown group(P＜0.05 orP＜0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Baihui point and Dazhui point can regulate ROCK2 to activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,improve cognitive impairment in AD mice,reduce Aβ deposition,and alleviate inflammatory responses.
