Electroacupuncture Control Group Research Articles

Electroacupuncture Attenuates Ischemic Brain Injury and Cellular Apoptosis via Mitochondrial Translocation of Cofilin.

To investigate the potential mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) to prevent ischemic stroke. The method of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was employed to establish a rat model of ischemic stroke. Seventy-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the sham group, MCAO + EA control (EC) group, and MCAO + EA (EA) group according to a random number table (n=26 per group). EA was applied to the acupoints of Baihui (DU 20) and Shenting (DU 24) 5 min and 6 h, respectively after the onset of MCAO. Rats in the sham and EC groups received only light isoflurane anesthesia for 30 min after MCAO. The neuroprotective effects of EA were evaluated by rota-rod test, neurological deficit scores and infarct volumes. Additionally, Nissl staining and immunostaining were performed to examine brain damage, rod formation, cellular apoptosis, and neuronal loss induced by ischemia. The activities of caspase-3, and expression levels of cofilin and p-cofilin in mitochondria and cytoplasm after ischemic injury were determined by Western blot. Compared with the EC group, EA significantly improved neuromotor function and cognitive ability after ischemic stroke (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Therapeutic use of EA also resulted in a significant decrease of cofilin rod formation and microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2) degradation in the cortical penumbra area compared with the EC rats (P<0.01). Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that EA stimulation significantly inhibited mitochondrial translocation of cofilin and caspase-3 cleavage (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Additionally, brain damage (infarct volume and neuropathy), cellular apoptosis and neuronal loss induced by ischemia were remarkably suppressed by EA in the cortical penumbra of rats (P<0.05 or P<0.01). EA treatment after ischemic stroke may attenuate ischemic brain injury and cellular apoptosis through the regulation of mitochondrial translocation of cofilin, a novel mechanism of EA therapy.

The Effects of Electroacupuncture in a Rat Model of Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Following Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Involves MicroRNA-223 and the PTEN Signaling Pathway.

BackgroundIn China, electroacupuncture (EA) is used to treat the symptoms of ischemic stroke. However, the mechanisms involved in the effects of EA in cerebral ischemia remain to be investigated. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of EA in a rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).Material/MethodsSeventy-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: the sham group (with sham surgery), the model group (the MCAO model), the EA group (treated with EA), the EA control group, and the EA+antagomir-223-3p group. Rats in the model of CIRI underwent MCAO for 90 minutes. EA was performed on the second postoperative day and was performed at the Waiguan (TE5) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints. The rat brains were evaluated for structural and molecular markers.ResultsEA treatment significantly upregulated the expression of microRNA-223 (miR-223), NESTIN, and NOTCH1, and downregulated the expression of PTEN in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and hippocampus. The luciferase reporter assay supported that PTEN was a direct target of miR-223, and antagomiR-223-3p reversed the effects of EA and reduced the increase in NESTIN and inhibition of PTEN expression associated with EA treatment. There was a negative correlation between PTEN expression and the number of neural stem cells (NSCs).ConclusionsIn a rat model of CIRI following MCAO, EA activated the NOTCH pathway, promoted the expression of miR-223, increased the number of NSCs, and reduced the expression of PTEN.

Effect of electroacupuncture on urodynamics and expression of Wnt-1, β-catenin, and Ngn1 in the spinal cord in rats with bladder detrusor hyperreflexia due to supersacral spinal cord transection

To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Dazhui" (GV14) and "Ciliao" (BL32) on rats with bladder detrusor hyperreflexia (DH) after supersacral spinal cord transection, as well as the mechanism of EA in improving the urinary function by regulating the expression of Wnt-1, β-catenin and Neurogenin 1(Ngn1). A total of 48 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group, model control group, EA group, and EA control group, with 12 rats in each group. T10 spinal cord transection (SCT) was performed by surgery. The Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) score was used to evaluate the motor function of SCT rat, and the Crede technique was used to assist urination. After the urine volume became stable, the urodynamic test was used to determine whether a rat model of DH was successfully established. The rats in the EA group were given EA at GV14 and BL32, and those in the EA control group were given EA (10 Hz/50 Hz, 20 min) at the acupuncture points at 1 cm next to GV14 and BL32 at both sides alternatively. EA was performed once a day for one week. Urodynamic parameters were used to evaluate urinary function. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the expression of Wnt-1 and β-catenin in the spinal cord, and immunofluorescence assay was used to measure the expression of Ngn1 in the spinal cord. The BBB score of the model control group significantly decreased compared with that of the sham-operation group(P<0.01), and the EA group was significantly higher than the model control group and the EA control group. Compared with the sham-operation group, the model control group had significant increases in bladder base pressure, maximum pressure, and leak point pressure (P<0.01) and significant reductions in maximum bladder capacity and compliance (P<0.01). Compared with the model control group, the EA group had significant reductions in bladder base pressure, maximum pressure, and leak point pressure (P<0.01) and significant increases in maximum bladder capacity and compliance (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the EA group, the EA control group had significant increases in bladder base pressure, maximum pressure, and leak point pressure (P<0.01) and significant reductions in maximum bladder capacity and compliance (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, the model control group had significant increases in the protein expression of Wnt-1 and β-catenin (P<0.05, P<0.01) and a signi-ficant reduction in the protein expression of Ngn1 in the spinal cord (P<0.01). Compared with the model control group, the EA group had significant increases in the protein expression of Wnt-1, β-catenin and Ngn1 in the spinal cord (P<0.01). Compared with the EA group, the EA control group had significant reductions in the protein expression of Wnt-1, β-catenin, and Ngn1 in the spinal cord (P<0.01). EA at GV14 and BL32 can significantly improve urinary function in rats with bladder DH due to SCT, partially by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and promoting the protein expression of Wnt-1, β-catenin and Ngn1.

Efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture in acute decompensated heart failure: a study protocol for a randomized, patient- and assessor-blinded, sham controlled trial

BackgroundThe purpose of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture in the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure compared with sham electroacupuncture.MethodsThis protocol is for a randomized, sham controlled, patient- and assessor-blinded, parallel group, single center clinical trial that can overcome the limitations of previous trials examining acupuncture and heart failure. Forty-four acute decompensated heart failure patients admitted to the cardiology ward will be randomly assigned into the electroacupuncture treatment group (n = 22) or the sham electroacupuncture control group (n = 22). Participants will receive electroacupuncture treatment for 5 days of their hospital stay. The primary outcome of this study is the difference in total diuretic dose between the two groups during hospitalization. On the day of discharge, follow-up heart rate variability, routine blood tests, cardiac biomarkers, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level, and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) level will be assessed. Four weeks after discharge, hs-CRP, NT-pro BNP, heart failure symptoms, quality of life, and a pattern identification questionnaire will be used for follow-up analysis. Six months after discharge, major cardiac adverse events and cardiac function measured by echocardiography will be assessed. Adverse events will be recorded during every visit.DiscussionThe result of this clinical trial will offer evidence of the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture for acute decompensated heart failure.Trial registrationClinical Research Information Service: KCT0002249.

The Effect of Electroacupuncture on Neuronal Apoptosis and Related Functions in Rats with Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Objective: To investigate the effect and significance of electroacupuncture (EA) on neuronal apoptosis and hindlimb motor and bladder functional improvement in rats with acute spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Sixty healthy Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to sham, model, EA, and EA control groups (n = 15 each). EA group rats received EA treatment at Zhibian and Shuidao acupoints seven times daily, whereas EA control group rats received EA at two points, 0.5 cm away from Zhibian and Shuidao, respectively. Histomorphological changes in spinal cord tissue were examined using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Neuronal apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. Bcl-2, Bax, and Bad protein levels were detected using immunohistochemistry. Additionally, hindlimb motor function, residual urine volume and maximum bladder capacity were measured. Results: HE staining revealed a morphologically and structurally intact spinal cord in the EA group, and the tissue contained scattered blood cells without edema. In the EA control group, there were small morphological defects in the spinal cord, and the tissue contained fewer blood cells with local edema. Compared with the EA control and model groups, Bax and Bad levels were significantly decreased in the EA group and Bcl-2 expression was increased (P < 0.05). After SCI, hindlimb function scores, residual urine volume, and maximum bladder capacity in rats of the EA group significantly differed from those of the EA control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: EA may induce SCI-induced improvements in hindlimb motor and bladder functions by affecting neuronal apoptosis and relevant gene expression changes.

Abstracts and Commentaries on Key Articles in the Literature

Abstracts and Commentaries on Key Articles in the Literature

Effects of electroacupuncture at Quchi point on vascular smooth muscle cells apoptosis of two kidney one clip hypertensive rates (2K1C-RHR) in carotid artery

To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at Quchi point on carotid artery vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) apoptosis of 2K1C-RHR and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. The therapy methods in electroacupuncture group and electroacupuncture control group were carried out through the Quchi point and the WaiGuan point, respectively, on base of 2K1C-RHR model. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein in carotid artery was detected by immunohistochemical method; Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to detect the apoptosis of carotid artery VSMCs. Compared with the normal control group, the apoptosis of carotid artery VSMCs of model control group increased, the expression of Bcl-2 increased and the expression of Bax decreased. The apoptosis rate of carotid artery VSMCs increased in the electroacupuncture group contrary to model control group (P 0.05). The vascular remodeling of hypertension rats in carotid artery can be influenced through the adjustment of VSMCs apoptosis by electroacupuncture. Key words: Acupuncture, hypertension, Quchi point, Bcl-2, Bax.