Abstract
BackgroundTo investigate the effects and potential mechanism of electroacupuncture intervention on expressions of Angiotensin II and its receptors-mediated signaling pathway in experimentally induced cerebral ischemia.MethodsTotally 126 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, model group and EA group. The latter two were further divided into ten subgroups (n = 6) following Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO). Changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and expressions of Angiotensin II and its receptors (AT1R, AT2R), as well as effector proteins in phosphatidyl inositol signal pathway were monitored before and at different times after MCAO.ResultsMCAO-induced decline of ipsilateral rCBF was partially suppressed by electroacupuncture, and contralateral blood flow was also superior to that of model group. Angiotensin II level was remarkably elevated immediately after MCAO, while electroacupuncture group exhibited significantly lower levels at 1 to 3 h and the value was significantly increased thereafter. The enhanced expression of AT1R was partially inhibited by electroacupuncture, while increased AT2R level was further induced. Electroacupuncture stimulation attenuated and postponed the upregulated-expressions of Gq and CaM these upregulations. ELISA results showed sharply increased expressions of DAG and IP3, which were remarkably neutralized by electroacupuncture.ConclusionsMCAO induced significant increases in expression of Angiotensin II and its receptor-mediated signal pathway. These enhanced expressions were significantly attenuated by electroacupuncture intervention, followed by reduced vasoconstriction and improved blood supply in ischemic region, and ultimately conferred beneficial effects on cerebral ischemia.
Highlights
To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of electroacupuncture intervention on expressions of Angiotensin II and its receptors-mediated signaling pathway in experimentally induced cerebral ischemia
In view of the significance of Ang II and its receptor proteins in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke, the present study aimed to explore the potential mechanism mediating the beneficial effects of EA from the respect of Ang II and its receptors-mediated signal transduction pathways, and the time-course effects of EA on experimentally induced cerebral ischemic rats was systematically investigated within the first 24 h
Neuroethology assessment Since rats regained consciousness within 3 h postoperatively, neurological assessment was performed from 3 h following the Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO)
Summary
To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of electroacupuncture intervention on expressions of Angiotensin II and its receptors-mediated signaling pathway in experimentally induced cerebral ischemia. Ischemic stroke is a devastating disease with a complex pathophysiology, and accounts for more than 80% of overall strokes [1]. It often results from focal cerebral ischemia due to occlusion of a cerebral blood vessel, and consequences of blood flow reduction in a brain territory are complex that trigger a serial of multistep pathophysiologic events, the so-called ischemic cascade [2]. The severe reduction of blood flow to the affected tissue results in a Electroacupuncture (EA) is a novel therapy based on traditional acupuncture combined with modern electrotherapy, and is currently being investigated as a treatment for acute ischemic stroke. The underlying mechanism is still an open question and further investigation is required for acute treatment with EA to be widely accepted clinically, as in the present study
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