Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100035, China.
Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100035, China.
Chin Med J (Engl). 2024 Mar 20;137(6):711-719. doi: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000003032. Epub 2024 Feb 21.
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common neurological trauma that can lead to cognitive impairment. The sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) pathway has been reported to have neuroprotective effects in rats with craniocerebral injury. We evaluated potential mechanisms underlying electroacupuncture-mediated recovery of cognitive function after mTBI, focusing on the SIRT-1/PGC-1α/mitochondrial pathway.
We included forty 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats in this study. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: controlled cortical impactor (CCI, n = 10), sham operation (sham, n = 10), electroacupuncture-treated CCI (CCI+EA, n = 10), and electroacupuncture-treated sham (sham+EA, n = 10) group. Randomization was performed by assigning a random number to each rat and using a random number table. The mTBI rat model was established using a controllable cortical impactor. Electroacupuncture therapy was performed on the back of rats, by inserting acupuncture needles to the specific acupoints and setting appropriate parameters for treatment. We evaluated spatial learning and memory functions with the Morris water maze test. We performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blotting, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) determination, and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I (MRCC I) determination on rat hippocampal tissue. We analyzed SIRT-1/PGC-1α expression levels and the results of mitochondrial function assays, and compared differences between groups using bilateral Student's t -tests.
Compared with the sham group, SIRT-1/PGC-1α expression was downregulated in the hippocampus of CCI group ( P <0.01). Although this expression was upregulated following electroacupuncture, it did not reach the levels observed in the sham group ( P <0.05). Compared with the sham group, MRCC I and ATP levels in the CCI group were significantly reduced, and increased after electroacupuncture ( P <0.01). In the Morris water maze, electroacupuncture reduced the incubation period of rats and increased average speed and number of crossing platforms ( P <0.05).
Electroacupuncture may improve cognitive function in the mTBI rat model by regulating the SIRT-1/PGC-1α/mitochondrial pathway.
轻度创伤性脑损伤（mTBI）是一种常见的神经创伤，可导致认知障碍。已有研究报道，在颅脑损伤大鼠中，沉默信息调节因子 1（SIRT-1）/过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ共激活因子 1α（PGC-1α）途径具有神经保护作用。我们评估了电针对 mTBI 后认知功能恢复的潜在机制，重点关注 SIRT-1/PGC-1α/线粒体途径。
本研究纳入了 40 只 6 周龄雄性 Sprague-Dawley 大鼠。大鼠随机分为四组：皮质撞击器（CCI，n = 10）、假手术（sham，n = 10）、电针对照（CCI+EA，n = 10）和电针 sham 组（sham+EA，n = 10）。通过给每只大鼠分配一个随机数并使用随机数表进行随机分组。mTBI 大鼠模型采用可控皮质撞击器建立。电针治疗在大鼠背部进行，插入针灸针至特定穴位，并设置适当的治疗参数。我们使用 Morris 水迷宫测试评估空间学习和记忆功能。我们对大鼠海马组织进行定量实时聚合酶链反应（qRT-PCR）、Western 印迹、三磷酸腺苷（ATP）测定和线粒体呼吸链复合物 I（MRCC I）测定。我们分析 SIRT-1/PGC-1α 表达水平和线粒体功能测定结果，并使用双侧学生 t 检验比较组间差异。
与 sham 组相比，CCI 组大鼠海马 SIRT-1/PGC-1α 表达下调（P <0.01）。虽然电针治疗后表达上调，但未达到 sham 组水平（P <0.05）。与 sham 组相比，CCI 组 MRCC I 和 ATP 水平显著降低，电针治疗后增加（P <0.01）。在 Morris 水迷宫中，电针治疗降低了大鼠的潜伏期，增加了平均速度和穿越平台的次数（P <0.05）。
电针可能通过调节 SIRT-1/PGC-1α/线粒体途径改善 mTBI 大鼠模型的认知功能。
