Electroacupuncture attenuates middle cerebral artery occlusion-induced learning and memory impairment by regulating microglial polarization in hippocampus

作者：Qiong Wen, Fubing Zha, Linlin Shan, Shaohua Zhang, Peng Xiao, Chunxia Zhang, Haibo Yu, Yulong Wang · 发表于：International Journal of Neuroscience · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1080/00207454.2024.2313664 · 被引用次数：11 · 研究领域：Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms、Acupuncture Treatment Research Studies、Pain Mechanisms and Treatments

BACKGROUND: As a traditional medical therapy, electroacupuncture (EA) has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on ischemic stroke-induced cognitive impairment. However, the underlying mechanism is largely unclear. METHODS: Adult rats received occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and reperfusion (MCAO/R) to establish the ischemic stroke model. Morris water maze test was performed following EA stimulation at the GV20, PC6, and KI1 acupoints in rats to test the learning and memory ability. Western blot, immunofluorescent staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were conducted to assess the cellular and molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: EA stimulation attenuated neurological deficits. In the Morris water maze test, EA treatment ameliorated the MCAO/R-induced learning and memory impairment. Moreover, we observed that MCAO/R induced microglial activation and polarization in the ischemic hippocampus, whereas, EA treatment dampened microglial activation and inhibited M1 microglial polarization but enhanced M2 microglial polarization. EA treatment inhibited the increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and enhanced the increased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Finally, we found that EA treatment dampened microglial p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: 38-mediated microglia polarization and neuroinflammation.