Effects of electroacupuncture on learning memory and central inflammatory response in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of electroacupuncture （EA） on learning memory and central inflammatory response in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion （MCAO/R）， and to explore its potential mechanisms.MethodsA total of 88 SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group （14 rats）， a sham operation group （14 rats）， and the remaining 60 rats were used to establish the MCAO/R model using the suture-occlusion method. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group and an EA group， with 14 rats in each group. Rats of the EA group received EA at “Shenting” （GV24） and “Baihui” （GV20） for 30 min， once daily for 14 consecutive days. After intervention， neurological function and learning memory were evaluated using the Zea-Longa score and Morris water maze test. The brain infarction volume was assessed using TTC staining. Neuronal damage was observed using Nissl staining. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the positive expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 （Iba1） in the hippocampal CA1 region. ELISA was used to measure the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin （IL）-6， IL-1β， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， and the blood-brain barrier-related factor S100β in serum. Western blot was used to detect the relative expression levels of Iba1， inflammatory factors， and tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1）， Occludin， and Claudin5 in the hippocampal tissue.ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， rats of the model group showed increased neurological function scores （PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPConclusionEA at GV24 and GV20 can improve learning memory function in MCAO/R rats， and its mechanism may be related to the repair of the central blood-brain barrier， reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels， and inhibition of microglial activation and central neuroinflammation.

研究目的：观察电针（electroacupuncture, EA）对大脑中动脉闭塞/再灌注（middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion, MCAO/R）模型大鼠学习记忆功能与中枢炎症反应的影响，并探讨其潜在作用机制。
研究方法：将88只SD大鼠随机分为空白组（14只）、假手术组（14只），剩余60只采用线栓法构建MCAO/R模型。将造模成功的大鼠随机分为模型组与电针组，每组各14只。电针组大鼠于神庭（GV24）、百会（GV20）穴进行电针干预，每次30分钟，每日1次，连续干预14天。干预结束后，采用Zea-Longa评分与Morris水迷宫试验评估大鼠神经功能与学习记忆能力；采用TTC染色检测脑梗死体积；采用Nissl染色观察神经元损伤情况；采用免疫荧光技术检测海马CA1区离子钙接头蛋白分子1（ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1, Iba1）的阳性表达水平；采用酶联免疫吸附测定（enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA）检测血清中促炎细胞因子白细胞介素（interleukin, IL）-6、IL-1β、肿瘤坏死因子（tumor necrosis factor, TNF）-α以及血脑屏障相关因子S100β的含量；采用蛋白质免疫印迹（Western blot）检测海马组织中Iba1、炎症因子以及紧密连接蛋白闭锁小带蛋白1（zonula occludens-1, ZO-1）、闭合蛋白（Occludin）、紧密连接蛋白5（Claudin5）的相对表达量。
研究结果：与假手术组相比，模型组大鼠的神经功能评分升高（PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP）。
研究结论：于GV24与GV20穴施以电针可改善MCAO/R大鼠的学习记忆功能，其作用机制可能与修复中枢血脑屏障、降低促炎细胞因子水平、抑制小胶质细胞活化及中枢神经炎症反应密切相关。