[Effect of electroacupuncture on expression of α-syn in colon and substantia nigra of Parkinson's disease mice].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) intervention on the behavior, colon and midbrain substantia nigra α-synuclein(α-syn) expression in Parkinson's disease （PD） mice, so as to explore the mechanism of early EA on prevention of PD. METHODS C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into blank, model and EA groups, with 8 mice in each group. The PD mouse model was established by subcutaneous injection of rotenone. Mice in the EA group received EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) at "Quchi"(LI11), "Shangjuxu"(ST37) and acupuncture at "Shenting" (GV24)and "Tianshu"(ST25) for 10 min once daily, with 7 d for a course, a total of 8 courses. Behavioral tests of hanging and climbing poles were carried out before, during and after modeling. The expressions of a-syn in substantia nigra and colon were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence. RESULTS After 8 weeks of modeling, the mice in the model group showed symptoms such as listlessness, dim hair color, coldness and curling up. Compared with the blank group, the hanging score of the model group was significantly lower (P<0.01), the pole climbing time and the expressions of α-syn protein in colon and substantia nigra were significantly increased (P<0.01). Following intervention, mice in the EA group were always in good mental state, with shiny fur and stable body weight. The hanging scores was significantly higher and the pole climbing time and the expressions of α-syn protein in colon and substantia nigra were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the EA group relevant to the model group. CONCLUSION Early EA intervention can delay the onset of PD induced by rotenone, which may be related to its effect in reducing the expression of α-syn in midbrain substantia nigra and colon.