Electroacupuncture Reduced Apoptosis of Hippocampal Neurons in Mice with Cerebral Infarction by Regulating the Notch3 Signaling Pathway.

This study is designed to explore the effect of electric acupuncture on the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons through the Notch3 signaling pathway. A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mouse model was generated by thread embolization. A Y-maze was used to test cognitive function (learning and memory). The apoptosis factor caspase-3 was identified through an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). TTC staining was used to evaluate the cerebral infarction area. Apoptosis of hippocampal neurons was identified by TUNEL staining and flow cytometry. The expression levels of genes and proteins related to the Notch3 signaling pathway were assessed by qRT-PCR and Western blot. It was determined that 7 days of electroacupuncture treatment improved recovery from cerebral infarction. Electroacupuncture therapy reduced the cerebral infarction area in mice and decreased the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. The apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons and the area of cerebral infarction were significantly lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the MCAO group (P < 0.01), while the apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons and the area of cerebral infarction were significantly higher in the inhibitor group than in the electroacupuncture group (P < 0.01). The expression levels of genes related to the Notch3 signaling pathway were significantly increased in the electric acupuncture treatment group compared with the MCAO group (P < 0.01). The results showed that electroacupuncture inhibited the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons through the Notch3 signaling pathway, while the expression levels of genes related to the Notch3 signaling pathway were significantly higher in the inhibitor group than in the electroacupuncture group (P < 0.01). Electroacupuncture inhibited the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in mice with cerebral infarction by stimulating the Notch3 signaling pathway and triggering corresponding protein expression.