Yu Chao-Chao, Wang Ying, Shen Feng, Kong Li-Hong, Wang Ya-Wen, Zhou Hua, Tang Lei
Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
Neural Regen Res. 2018 Oct;13(10):1833-1841. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.238620.
Acupuncture has been shown to ameliorate cognitive impairment of Alzheimer's disease. Acupoints and stimulation frequency influence the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture. Rat models of Alzheimer's disease were established by injecting amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ) into the bilateral lateral ventricles. Electroacupuncture at 2, 30, and 50 Hz was carried out at Baihui (GV20; 15° obliquely to a depth of 2 mm) and Shenshu (BL23; perpendicularly to 4-6 mm depth), once a day for 20 minutes (each), for 15 days, taking a break every 7 days. The Morris water maze test was conducted to assess the learning and memory. The expression levels of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), pSer9-GSK-3β, pTyr216-GSK-3β, amyloid precursor protein and Aβ in the hippocampus were determined by western blot assay. Results demonstrated that electroacupuncture treatment at different frequencies markedly improved learning and memory ability, increased synaptic curvatures, decreased the width of synaptic clefts, thickened postsynaptic densities, and downregulated the expression of GSK-3β, amyloid precursor protein, and Aβ. pSer9-GSK-3β expression markedly decreased, while pTyr216-GSK-3β expression increased. High-frequency (50 Hz) electroacupuncture was more effective than low (2 Hz) or medium-frequency (30 Hz) electroacupuncture. In conclusion, electroacupuncture treatment exerts a protective effect against Aβ-induced learning and memory deficits and synapse-ultrastructure impairment via inhibition of GSK-3β activity. Moreover, high-frequency electroacupuncture was the most effective therapy.
针刺已被证明可改善阿尔茨海默病的认知障碍。穴位和刺激频率会影响电针的治疗效果。通过向双侧侧脑室注射β淀粉样蛋白1-42（Aβ）建立阿尔茨海默病大鼠模型。于百会穴（GV20；斜向上15°，进针深度2mm）和肾俞穴（BL23；垂直进针4 - 6mm深度）分别进行2Hz、30Hz和50Hz的电针治疗，每天1次，每次20分钟，共治疗15天，每7天休息1天。采用莫里斯水迷宫试验评估学习和记忆能力。通过蛋白质免疫印迹法检测海马中糖原合成酶激酶-3β（GSK-3β）、pSer9-GSK-3β、pTyr216-GSK-3β、淀粉样前体蛋白和Aβ的表达水平。结果表明，不同频率的电针治疗均能显著改善学习和记忆能力，增加突触曲率，减小突触间隙宽度，增厚突触后致密物，并下调GSK-3β、淀粉样前体蛋白和Aβ的表达。pSer9-GSK-3β表达显著降低，而pTyr216-GSK-3β表达增加。高频（50Hz）电针比低频（2Hz）或中频（30Hz）电针更有效。总之，电针治疗通过抑制GSK-3β活性对Aβ诱导的学习和记忆缺陷及突触超微结构损伤发挥保护作用。此外，高频电针是最有效的治疗方法。
