Scalp-acupuncture improves neurological function by regulating expression of IL-10 mRNA, IL-6 mRNA and TNF-α of parahippocampal gyrus in cerebral ischemic rats

Abstract

To observe the effect of scalp-acupuncture intervention on the expression of Interleukin (IL)-10 mRNA, IL-6 mRNA and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) - α in the parahippocampal gyrus of cerebral ischemia (CI) rats, so as to explore its molecular mechanisms underlying improvement of CI. A total of 64 male SD rats were randomized into normal control, model, medication and scalp-acupuncture groups (n＝16 rats in each group). The focal CI model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Intraperitoneal injection of Ammonium Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate (100 mg•kg－1•d－1) was administrated for rats in the medication group, once a day for 7 days. For rats of the scalp-acupuncture group, the acupuncture needles were rapidly inserted into bilateral Dingnieqianxiexian (MS6), followed by twirling the needles at 100 cycles/min for 1 min, once again every 10 min during 20 min' needle retention. The treatment was conducted once a day for 7 days. The neurologic deficit score (0－4 points, impaired consciousness, death, etc.) and neurological function score (motor, sensory and sensory tests, 0－10 points) were assessed according to Longa's (1989) and Schabitz's (2004) methods, respectively. The expression levels of IL-10 mRNA and IL-6 mRNA were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the expression of TNF-α was detected by immunohistochemistry. After modeling, the neurologic deficit and neurological function scores and the expression levels of IL-10 mRNA, IL-6 mRNA and TNF-α protein in the parahippocampus were significantly increased in the model group than in the normal control group (P<0.01). Following the intervention, the neurologic deficit and neurological function scores as well as IL-6 mRNA and TNF-α protein expression were significantly down-regulated in both scalp-acupuncture and medication groups (P<0.05), and the expression of IL-10 mRNA was obviously increased (P<0.05) relevant to the model group. Scalp-acupuncture can improve neurologic function in CI rats, which is related to its effects in up-regulating the expression of IL-10, then down-regulating the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α (reducing inflammatory response) in the parahippocampal gyrus.