Zhongguo quanke yixue (Aug 2022)
Effect of Electroacupuncture at Shenting and Baihui Acupoints on Superoxide Dismutase Activity and Malondialdehyde Content in the Brain Tissue in a Rat Model of Learning and Memory Impairment Induced by Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury
Abstract
Background The use of electroacupuncture at Shenting and Baihui acupoints may improve the learning and memory impairment in cerebral ischemic stroke patients with cognitive impairment induced by one pathogenic factor known as abnormal free radical metabolism. Objective To explore the possible mechanism of using electroacupuncture at Shenting and Baihui acupoints to improve the learning and memory impairment in a rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion induced learning and memory impairment by observing the changes of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in brain tissues of the model. Methods This experiment was conducted from August 2019 to August 2020. Eighteen SPF male SD rats were selected and equally randomized into three groups by use of random allocation using SPSS 22.0: sham operation group (receiving a neck incision for separating the neck artery, then being caught at a fixed time point), model group (receiving occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for inducing ischemia-reperfusion injury, then being assessed with a Zea-Longa score of 1-3 points in the fully awake state, and being caught at a fixed time point) and electroacupuncture group (first receiving interventions similar to those given to rats in the model group, then on the first day after being successfully modeled, receiving a 30-minute electroacupuncture at Shenting and Baihui acupoints with dense-sparse waves in the frequency range of 1 Hz/20 Hz, once daily, for two consecutive weeks). When the intervention ended, Morris water maze experiment was used to test the learning and memory ability of all rats. The SOD activity and MDA content in brain tissues of rats were measured by WST-1 assay, and thiobarbituric acid assay, respectively. Results The rats in both model group and electroacupuncture group were modeled successfully. On the 13th day of training trial, compared with rats in the sham operation group, those in the model group showed an increased escape latency and decreased number of crossing the platform (P<0.05) ; rats in the electroacupuncture group showed a shortened escape latency and an increased number of crossing the platform than did those in the model group (P<0.05). Rats in the model group exhibited decreased SOD activity and increased MDA content than did those in the sham operation group (P<0.05). Rats in the electroacupuncture group had higher SOD activity and lower MDA content than did those in the model group (P<0.05) . Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Shenting and Baihui acupoints could improve the learning and memory impairment in a rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the mechanism may be related to enhancing SOD activity and reducing the accumulation of MDA in the brain tissue.
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