The mechanism of cerebral acupuncture affects neuronal cell apoptosis via BrdU and Nestin in hypoxic-ischemic brain-damaged immature rats

Abstract

Objective: In this study, the effects of scalp acupuncture on the number of apoptotic cells and apoptotic indexes were deterrmined in rats with intrauterine hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD), and the inhibitory mechanism of mitochondrial pathway, mediated apoptosis in the repair of brain ischemia and hypoxia was examined. Methods: A clip was applied to the uterine artery for 5 min before a cesarean section was performed in a rat model. The rats were divided into normal group (n = 24), model group (n = 24), and acupuncture group (n = 24). Rats in the acupuncture group were treated with continuous acupuncture on the head beginning on the 28th day after birth. Rats were sacrificed at days 35 , 42 and 49 , and samples were analyzed by TUNEL staining of cells obtained from the cerebral cortex. The number of apoptotic cells in each group (n = 8) was determined and compared. An immunohistochemical assay of cerebral cortex cells was performed to examine BrdU and Nestin expression. Results: Compared with the normal group，the number of apoptotic cells in the model group was significantly higher and increased over time, (P < 0.05). BrdU expression was higher in the acupuncture group than in the model group, and the number of apoptotic cells was significantly lower in the acupuncture group than the model group, and decrease over time. BrdU expression decreased, while Nestin expression significantly increased. Conclusion: Acupuncture can reduce the number of apoptotic cells in the cerebral cortex. The expression of BrdU and Nestin inhibited the apoptosis of neural stem cells, promoting the repair of injured neurons via neural stem cells.