Baihui Point Laser Acupuncture Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment, Motor Deficit, and Neuronal Loss Partly via Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in an Animal Model of Focal Ischemic Stroke.

Jinatta Jittiwat

doi:10.1155/2019/1204709

Abstract

Stroke is recognized as one of the most dangerous killer diseases in Thailand and other countries worldwide. The development of a novel strategy for treating stroke patients is therefore urgently required. The present study investigated the effect of laser acupuncture at the Baihui point on cognitive and functional recovery, neuronal loss, antioxidant enzyme activities, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) activity in the hippocampus in an animal model of focal ischemic stroke. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham operation; permanent occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery (Rt.MCAO); Rt.MCAO with sham laser acupuncture; and Rt.MCAO with Baihui point laser acupuncture. Laser acupuncture at the Baihui point and sham acupuncture at a nonacupoint were performed once daily (10 min at each point) for 14 days after Rt.MCAO. Half of the rats in each group were examined to determine neuron density by Cresyl violet staining, while the other half were examined by biochemical assays to measure glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the hippocampus, superoxide dismutase (SOD) in mitochondria and interleukin-6 (IL-6) activity in the hippocampus. Laser acupuncture treatment was found to significantly enhance memory and neuron density in CA1 and CA3. Improved neurological score, improved GSH-Px and SOD activities, and decreased density ratio of IL-6 to β-actin were also observed in the hippocampus. In conclusion, Baihui point laser acupuncture alleviates cognitive impairment and motor deficits via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in focal ischemic rats. Further study is warranted to investigate other possible mechanisms of action.

Highlights

Ischemic stroke is characterized by an inadequate cerebral blood supply, and it has been recognized as one of the most dangerous killer diseases in Thailand [1] and other countries worldwide [2], especially developing countries [3]
Several studies demonstrate that neurotoxicity induced by inflammation and stroke is associated with elevation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) including one study showing that IL-6 correlates significantly with the outcome and mortality rate of ischemic stroke patients [8]
Based on the fact that cognitive impairment and contralateral paralysis usually develops after cerebral ischemia induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion, the present study determined the effect of laser acupuncture on the functional recovery of cognitive impairment and motor function

Summary

Introduction

Ischemic stroke is characterized by an inadequate cerebral blood supply, and it has been recognized as one of the most dangerous killer diseases in Thailand [1] and other countries worldwide [2], especially developing countries [3]. Stroke is a common cause of neurological problems such as cognitive impairment and motor and sensory deficit that is mainly found in the hospital and usually leads to mortality or disability problems [4]. Free radical generation dramatically increases and overwhelms endogenous antioxidant systems, leading to a breakdown in equilibrium [5]. The prognosis for stroke patients with inflammation appears to be very poor, and the inhibition of inflammation could decrease brain infarct size and improve neurological deficit in experimental stroke [7]. Several studies demonstrate that neurotoxicity induced by inflammation and stroke is associated with elevation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) including one study showing that IL-6 correlates significantly with the outcome and mortality rate of ischemic stroke patients [8]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion