Effects of Xiusanzhen treatment on ultrastructure of olfactory bulb and GFAP expression in mice with Parkinson's disease

Abstract

To observe the effects of Xiusanzhen treatment on the ultrastructure of olfactory bulb and the expression of substantia nigra glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in mice with Parkinson's disease (PD) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and to provide methods and evidence for early prevention and treatment of PD. Forty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, an electroacupuncture (EA) group and a medication group, 10 mice in each one. The mice in the model group, EA group and medication group were treated with 30-day nasal perfusion of LPS to establish PD model. From the first day of model establishment, the mice in the EA group were treated with electroacupuncture at bilateral "Yingxiang" (LI 20) and "Yintang" (GV 29) for 20 min, once a day; 5-day treatment was taken as one session, and 4 sessions were given with an interval of 2 days between sessions. The mice in the medication group were treated with intraperitoneal injection of L-DOPA, 10 mg/mL, once a day; 5-day treatment was taken as one session, and 4 sessions were given with an interval of 2 days between sessions. After treatment, the behavioristics changes were observed by using footprint analysis and swimming test score; the ultrastructure of olfactory bulb was observed by using transmission electron microscopy; the expression of GFAP in substantia nigra was measured by using western blot method. ① After model establishment, the mice in the model group, the EA group and medication group showed significant symptoms of quiver and fear of chill, and the BMI was significantly lower than that in the blank group (all P<0.05). The results of behavioristics test indicated footprint length and swimming time in the model group, the EA group and medication group was significantly lower than those in the blank group (all P<0.01), indicating the successful establishment of PD model. ② After one-session treatment, the symptoms of quiver and fear of chill were not observed in the EA group. After 4-session treatment, the BMI in the EA group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P<0.05); the symptoms of quiver and fear of chill were not observed in the medication group, but the BMI was similar with the model group (P>0.05). ③ After treatment, the footprint and swimming time in the model group were significantly lower than that in the blank group (both P<0.01); the footprint and swimming time in the EA group and medication group were significantly higher than those in the model group (all P<0.01).④ After treatment, compared with the blank group, the organelles and ultrastructure of olfactory bulb in the model group were significantly improved; the ultrastructure of olfactory bulb in the EA group was improved compared with that in the model group. ⑤ After treatment, the expression of substantia nigra GFAP in the model group was significantly higher than that in the blank group (P<0.01); the expression of substantia nigra GFAP in the EA group and medication group was significantly lower than that in the model group (both P<0.05). The early treatment of Xiusanzhen can improve behavioral disorders in LPS-induced early PD mice, and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of olfactory disorders and the expression of GFAP in substantia nigra.