Acupuncture-synchronized exercise can improve the learning and memory of rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion
10.3760/cma.j.cn421666-20241105-00885
- VernacularTitle:针刺同步运动训练对大脑中动脉闭塞大鼠学习记忆能力的影响及机制研究
- Author:
Fang QIN
1
;
Tiantian MA
;
Zifu YU
;
Shiai GAO
;
Jinhui CHEN
;
Xihua LIU
Author Information
1. 中国科学技术大学附属第一医院（安徽省立医院）康复医学科，合肥 230036
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Middle cerebral artery occlusion;
Acupuncture-synchronized exercise;
Mitochondria;
Autophagy
- From:
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2025;47(7):577-584
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture-synchronized exercise training on the learning and memory of rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and to explore its mechanism.Methods:Among sixty 8-week-old SPF-grade Sprague-Dawley male rats, 6 were randomly chosen to form a sham group, and the rest received MCAO. After successful modeling, 18 rats were assigned at random to either the model, asynchronous or synchronous group, each of 6. The asynchronous group received 20 minutes of acupuncture followed by 20 minutes of treadmill training, while the synchronous group received the acupuncture during their treadmill training. There was no special intervention for the sham and model groups. There were 5 sessions/week for 21 days. Neurological deficit in the rats was assessed using Longa scoring 24h after the modeling and after the 21 days. The localization navigation test was performed on days 17-20 of the experiment, and the latency to escape was recorded. A space exploration experiment was performed the next day, and rats were tested for dwell time and the number of transits of the original platform quadrant. After the intervention, the morphology of hippocampal tissue was observed using HE staining. The mitochondria of the rats′ hippocampal neurons were observed using transmission electron microscopy. MDA and SOD levels were recorded. And the protein expression levels of the Parkin, PINK1, LC3-II/ LC3-Ⅰ, P62 and Beclin-1 genes were detected using western blotting.Results:The model group showed significantly higher average Longa scores than the sham group, with less time spent in the target quadrant and fewer crossings of the platform quadrant. The HE staining revealed numerous degenerating neurons, and swollen mitochondria with vacuolization and sparse cristae. There was also a significant decrease in Parkin, PINK1, LC3-II/LC3-I and Beclin-1 expression and in SOD. But there was a significant increase in P62 expression and MDA, on average. Compared with the model group, both the non-synchronous and synchronous groups showed significantly lower average Longa scores, with more time spent in the target quadrant and more platform crossings. Their neuron morphology was close to normal, with more intact cristae and autophagic bodies in the mitochondria. Those groups showed greater Parkin, PINK1, LC3-II/LC3-I and Beclin-1 expression and had higher SOD levels, on average, with significantly lower P62 expression and less MDA. But compared with the non-synchronous group, the synchronous group spent more time in the target quadrant and had significantly more platform crossings. LC3-II/LC3-I and Beclin-1 expression were higher, on average, as were SOD levels. P62 expression and MDA levels were significantly lower.Conclusions:Acupuncture synchronized with exercise improves the learning and memory of rates after MCAO. The mechanism may be related to reducing oxidative stress levels and activating mitochondrial autophagy.
