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Li B, Deng S, Jiang H, Zhu W, Zhuo B, Du Y, Meng Z. The mechanistic effects of acupuncture in rodent neurodegenerative disease models: a literature review. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1323555. [PMID: 38500484 PMCID: PMC10944972 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1323555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases refer to a battery of medical conditions that affect the survival and function of neurons in the brain, which are mainly presented with progressive loss of cognitive and/or motor function. Acupuncture showed benign effects in improving neurological deficits, especially on movement and cognitive function impairment. Here, we reviewed the therapeutic mechanisms of acupuncture at the neural circuit level in movement and cognition disorders, summarizing the influence of acupuncture in the dopaminergic system, glutamatergic system, γ-amino butyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) system, serotonergic system, cholinergic system, and glial cells at the circuit and synaptic levels. These findings can provide targets for clinical treatment and perspectives for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boxuan Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Shizhe Deng
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Hailun Jiang
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Weiming Zhu
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Bifang Zhuo
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuzheng Du
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhihong Meng
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
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2
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Lv T, Wang M, Zheng HS, Mao JD, Yang F, Yang L, Zhao MG, Liu SB, Zhang K, Liu R, Wu YM. Electroacupuncture alleviates PTSD-like behaviors by modulating hippocampal synaptic plasticity via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Brain Res Bull 2023; 202:110734. [PMID: 37586426 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Abnormalities in hippocampal synaptic plasticity contribute to the pathogenesis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is critical for the regulation of synaptic plasticity. PTSD symptoms can be alleviated by correcting impaired neural plasticity in the hippocampus (Hipp). Electroacupuncture (EA) has a therapeutic effect by relieving PTSD-like behaviors. However, little is known about whether the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is involved in EA-mediated improvements of PTSD symptoms. In this study, we found that enhanced single prolonged stress (ESPS)-induced PTSD led to abnormal neural plasticity, characterized by the decline of dendritic spines, the expression of postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95), and synaptophysin (Syn) in the stressed Hipp along with the reduction of Wnt3a and β-catenin, and increased GSK-3β. EA significantly alleviated PTSD-like behaviors, as assessed by the open field test, elevated platform maze test and conditioning fear test. This was paralleled by correcting abnormal neural plasticity by promoting the expression of PSD95 and Syn, as well as the number of dendritic spines in the Hipp. Importantly, EA exerted anti-PTSD effects by augmenting the expression levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin, and decreasing that of GSK-3β. The effects mediated by EA were abolished by XAV939, an inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This suggests that EA relieved ESPS-induced PTSD-like behaviors, which can largely be ascribed to impaired neural plasticity in the Hipp. These findings provide new insights into possible mechanisms linking neural plasticity in the Hipp as potential novel targets for PTSD treatment in EA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Lv
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, PR China; Department of Acupuncture-moxibustion-massage, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi 712000, PR China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, PR China
| | - He-Sheng Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, PR China; Department of Acupuncture-moxibustion-massage, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi 712000, PR China
| | - Jin-Dong Mao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, PR China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, PR China; Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, PR China
| | - Le Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, PR China
| | - Ming-Gao Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, PR China
| | - Shui-Bing Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, PR China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, PR China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, PR China.
| | - Yu-Mei Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, PR China; Department of Acupuncture-moxibustion-massage, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi 712000, PR China.
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3
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Feng D, Zhou J, Liu H, Wu X, Li F, Zhao J, Zhang Y, Wang L, Chao M, Wang Q, Qin H, Ge S, Liu Q, Zhang J, Qu Y. Astrocytic NDRG2-PPM1A interaction exacerbates blood-brain barrier disruption after subarachnoid hemorrhage. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabq2423. [PMID: 36179025 PMCID: PMC9524825 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq2423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Blood-brain barrier (BBB) injury critically exacerbates the poor prognosis of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The massively increased matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP-9) plays a deleterious role in BBB. However, the main source and mechanism of MMP-9 production after SAH remain unclear. We reported that the increased MMP-9 was mainly derived from reactive astrocytes after SAH. Ndrg2 knockout in astrocytes inhibited MMP-9 expression after SAH and attenuated BBB damage. Astrocytic Ndrg2 knockout decreased the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and the transcription of MMP-9. Notably, cytoplasmic NDRG2 bound to the protein phosphatase PPM1A and restricted the dephosphorylation of Smad2/3. Accordingly, TAT-QFNP12, a novel engineered peptide that could block the NDRG2-PPM1A binding and reduce Smad2/3 dephosphorylation, decreased astrocytic MMP-9 production and BBB disruption after SAH. In conclusion, this study identified NDRG2-PPM1A signaling in reactive astrocytes as a key switch for MMP-9 production and provided a novel therapeutic avenue for BBB protection after SAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayun Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, International Cooperation Platform for Encephalopathy of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an 710038, China
| | - Jinpeng Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, International Cooperation Platform for Encephalopathy of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an 710038, China
| | - Haixiao Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, International Cooperation Platform for Encephalopathy of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an 710038, China
| | - Xun Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, International Cooperation Platform for Encephalopathy of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an 710038, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, International Cooperation Platform for Encephalopathy of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an 710038, China
| | - Junlong Zhao
- Department of Medical Genetics and Development Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xinyang Normal University, Xinyang 464000, China
| | - Min Chao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, International Cooperation Platform for Encephalopathy of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an 710038, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, International Cooperation Platform for Encephalopathy of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an 710038, China
| | - Huaizhou Qin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, International Cooperation Platform for Encephalopathy of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an 710038, China
| | - Shunnan Ge
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, International Cooperation Platform for Encephalopathy of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an 710038, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an 710032, China
| | - Yan Qu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, International Cooperation Platform for Encephalopathy of Shaanxi Province, Xi’an 710038, China
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Zhou R, Xiao L, Xiao W, Yi Y, Wen H, Wang H. Bibliometric review of 1992–2022 publications on acupuncture for cognitive impairment. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1006830. [PMID: 36226080 PMCID: PMC9549373 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1006830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To explore the development context, research hotspots, and frontiers of acupuncture therapy for cognitive impairment (CI) from 1992 to 2022 by visualization analysis. Methods Articles about acupuncture therapy for cognitive impairment were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) until 1 March 2022. Basic information was collected by Excel 2007, and VOSviewer 1.6.17 was used to analyze the co-occurrence of countries, institutes, and authors. Co-citation maps of authors and references were analyzed by CiteSpace V.5.8.R3. In addition, CiteSpace was used to analyze keyword clusters and forecast research frontiers. Results A total of 279 articles were retrieved, including articles from 19 countries, 334 research institutes, and 101 academic journals. The most published country and institutes were the People's Republic of China (217) and the Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (40). Ronald C Petersen owned the highest co-citations (56). Keywords and co-cited references cluster showed the main research directions in this area, including “ischemic stroke,” “cerebral ischemia/reperfusion,” “mild cognitive impairment,” “Alzheimer's disease,” “vascular dementia,” “vascular cognitive impairment with no dementia,” “multi-infarct dementia,” “synaptic injury,” “functional MRI,” “glucose metabolism,” “NMDA,” “nuclear factor-kappa b pathway,” “neurotrophic factor,” “matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2),” “tumor necrosis factor-alpha,” “Bax,” “Caspase-3,” and “Noxa”. Trending keywords may indicate frontier topics, such as “randomized controlled trial,” “rat model,” and “meta-analysis.” Conclusion This research provides valuable information for the study of acupuncture. Diseases focus on mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD). Tauopathies with hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein as the main lesions also need to be paid attention to. The development of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) will better explain the therapeutic effect of acupuncture treatment. The effect of acupuncture on a single point is more convincing, and acupuncture on Baihui (GV20) may be needed in the future. Finally, the implementation of high-quality multicenter randomized controlled trials (RCTs) requires increased collaboration among experts from multiple fields and countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runjin Zhou
- Medical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lu Xiao
- Ganzhou Cancer Hospital, Ganzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Lu Xiao
| | - Wei Xiao
- Ganzhou Cancer Hospital, Ganzhou, China
| | - Yanfei Yi
- Ganzhou Cancer Hospital, Ganzhou, China
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Yu CC, Du YJ, Wang SQ, Liu LB, Shen F, Wang L, Lin YF, Kong LH. Experimental Evidence of the Benefits of Acupuncture for Alzheimer's Disease: An Updated Review. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:549772. [PMID: 33408601 PMCID: PMC7779610 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.549772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
As the global population ages, the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is also increasing. At present, there are no widely recognized drugs able to ameliorate the cognitive dysfunction caused by AD. The failure of several promising clinical trials in recent years has highlighted the urgent need for novel strategies to both prevent and treat AD. Notably, a growing body of literature supports the efficacy of acupuncture for AD. In this review, we summarize the previously reported mechanisms of acupuncture's beneficial effects in AD, including the ability of acupuncture to modulate Aβ metabolism, tau phosphorylation, neurotransmitters, neurogenesis, synapse and neuron function, autophagy, neuronal apoptosis, neuroinflammation, cerebral glucose metabolism, and brain responses. Taken together, these findings suggest that acupuncture provides therapeutic effects for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Chao Yu
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,The Fourth Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan-Jun Du
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Shu-Qin Wang
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,The Fourth Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Le-Bin Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hubei Rongjun Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Feng Shen
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Wang
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan-Fang Lin
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,The Fourth Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li-Hong Kong
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
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6
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Li X, Wu X, Luo P, Xiong L. Astrocyte-specific NDRG2 gene: functions in the brain and neurological diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:2461-2472. [PMID: 31834421 PMCID: PMC11104915 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03406-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the roles of astrocytes of the central nervous system in brain function and neurological disease have drawn increasing attention. As a member of the N-myc downstream-regulated gene (NDRG) family, NDRG2 is principally expressed in astrocytes of the central nervous system. NDRG2, which is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, is commonly regarded as a tumor suppressor. In astrocytes, NDRG2 affects the regulation of apoptosis, astrogliosis, blood-brain barrier integrity, and glutamate clearance. Several preclinical studies have revealed that NDRG2 is implicated in the pathogenesis of many neurological diseases not limited to tumors (mostly glioma in the nervous system), such as stroke, neurodegeneration (Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease), and psychiatric disorders (depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). This review summarizes the biological functions of NDRG2 under physiological and pathological conditions, and further discusses the roles of NDRG2 during the occurrence and development of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle Xi Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Xiuquan Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle Xi Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle Xi Road, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - Lize Xiong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, 127 Changle Xi Road, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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7
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Mechanisms of Electroacupuncture on Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review of Animal Studies. Chin J Integr Med 2020; 26:473-480. [DOI: 10.1007/s11655-020-3092-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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8
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NDRG2 Expression Correlates with Neurofibrillary Tangles and Microglial Pathology in the Ageing Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21010340. [PMID: 31947996 PMCID: PMC6982267 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes play a major role in the pathogenesis of a range of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), undergoing dramatic morphological and molecular changes that can cause potentially both beneficial and detrimental effects. They comprise a heterogeneous population, requiring a panel of specific phenotype markers to identify astrocyte subtypes, changes in function and their relation to pathology. This study aimed to characterise expression of the astrocyte marker N-myc downstream regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) in the ageing brain, investigate the relationship between NDRG2 and a panel of astrocyte markers, and relate NDRG2 expression to pathology. NDRG2 specifically immunolabelled the cell body and radiating processes of astrocytes in the temporal cortex of the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (CFAS) neuropathology cohort. Expression of NDRG2 did not correlate with other astrocyte markers, including glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) and glutamine synthetase (GS). NDRG2 showed a relationship to AT8+ neurofibrillary tangles (p = 0.001) and CD68+ microglia (p = 0.047), but not β-amyloid plaques or astrocyte nuclear γH2AX immunoreactivity, a marker of DNA damage response. These findings provide new insight into the astrocyte response to pathology in the ageing brain, and suggest NDRG2 may be a potential target to modulate this response.
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Tao L, Zhu Y, Wang R, Han J, Ma Y, Guo H, Tang W, Zhuo L, Fan Z, Yin A, Hou W, Li Y. N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 deficiency aggravates memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease. Behav Brain Res 2019; 379:112384. [PMID: 31778735 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic degenerative disease of the central nervous system and the most common dementia type in elderly people. N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2), a cell stress response gene, is primarily expressed in astrocytes in mammalian brains. The hippocampal protein levels of NDRG2 in AD patients were significantly higher than those in healthy peers. However, whether the increase in NDRG2 is involved in the development of AD or is an endogenous protective response initiated by stress remains unknown. Here, we investigated the roles of NDRG2 in the development of memory impairment in AD using mouse models established by amyloid β injection or crossing of APP/PS1 mice. We found that NDRG2 deficiency worsened the memory impairment in AD mice. In addition, NDRG2 deletion induced downregulation of the proteasome functional subunit PSMB6 in AD mice. These findings suggest that NDRG2 is an endogenous neuroprotectant that participates in the pathological course of waste-clearing impairment and memory damage in AD. NDRG2 may be a therapeutic target for the intervention of AD memory degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Tao
- Center for Brain Science & Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital of The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhu
- Department of Neurobiology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiao Han
- Center for Brain Science & Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yulong Ma
- Anesthesia and Operation Center, The First Medical Center to Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Guo
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Seventh Medical Center to Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhong Tang
- Department of Anesthesiology, the 960th Hospital of PLA, Jinan, China
| | - Lixia Zhuo
- Center for Brain Science & Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ze Fan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital of The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Anqi Yin
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital of The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wugang Hou
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital of The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan Li
- Center for Brain Science & Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
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Schonkeren SL, Massen M, van der Horst R, Koch A, Vaes N, Melotte V. Nervous NDRGs: the N-myc downstream-regulated gene family in the central and peripheral nervous system. Neurogenetics 2019; 20:173-186. [PMID: 31485792 PMCID: PMC6754360 DOI: 10.1007/s10048-019-00587-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The N-Myc downstream-regulated gene (NDRG) family consists of four members (NDRG1, NDRG2, NDRG3, NDRG4) that are differentially expressed in various organs and function in important processes, like cell proliferation and differentiation. In the last couple of decades, interest in this family has risen due to its connection with several disorders of the nervous system including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and dementia, as well as nervous system cancers. By combining a literature review with in silico data analysis of publicly available datasets, such as the Mouse Brain Atlas, BrainSpan, the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project, and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, this review summarizes the expression and functions of the NDRG family in the healthy and diseased nervous system. We here show that the NDRGs have a differential, relatively cell type-specific, expression pattern in the nervous system. Even though NDRGs share functionalities, like a role in vesicle trafficking, stress response, and neurite outgrowth, other functionalities seem to be unique to a specific member, e.g., the role of NDRG1 in myelination. Furthermore, mutations, phosphorylation, or changes in expression of NDRGs are related to nervous system diseases, including peripheral neuropathy and different forms of dementia. Moreover, NDRG1, NDRG2, and NDRG4 are all involved in cancers of the nervous system, such as glioma, neuroblastoma, or meningioma. All in all, our review elucidates that although the NDRGs belong to the same gene family and share some functional features, they should be considered unique in their expression patterns and functional importance for nervous system development and neuronal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone L Schonkeren
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Maartje Massen
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Raisa van der Horst
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Koch
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Nathalie Vaes
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Veerle Melotte
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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11
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Electroacupuncture Improves Synaptic Function in SAMP8 Mice Probably via Inhibition of the AMPK/eEF2K/eEF2 Signaling Pathway. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2019; 2019:8260815. [PMID: 31641367 PMCID: PMC6766673 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8260815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Synaptic loss and dysfunction is associated with cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent evidence indicates that the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase (eEF2K)/eukaryotic elongation factor-2 (eEF2) pathway was implicated in synaptic plasticity in AD. Therapeutic strategies for AD treatment are currently limited. Here, we investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on synaptic function and the AMPK/eEF2K/eEF2 signaling pathway in male senescence-accelerated mouse-prone 8 (SAMP8) mice. Male 7-month-old SAMP8 and SAMR1 mice (senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1) were randomly divided into 3 groups: SAMR1 control group (Rc), SAMP8 control group (Pc), and SAMP8 electroacupuncture group (Pe). The Pe group was treated with EA for 30 days. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the structure of synapse. The protein and mRNA expression of synaptophysin (SYN) and postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95) was examined by immunohistochemistry, western blot, and real-time RT-PCR. The activity of AMPK and eEF2K was studied by western blot. Our results showed that EA ameliorated synaptic loss, increased the expression of SYN and PSD95, and inhibited AMPK activation and eEF2K activity. Collectively, these findings suggested that the mechanisms of EA improving synaptic function in AD may be associated with the inhibition of the AMPK/eEF2K/eEF2 signaling pathway.
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Xue F, Xue SS, Liu L, Sang HF, Ma QR, Tan QR, Wang HN, Zhou CH, Peng ZW. Early intervention with electroacupuncture prevents PTSD-like behaviors in rats through enhancing hippocampal endocannabinoid signaling. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 93:171-181. [PMID: 30946940 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) is a clinically useful physiological therapy that has been recently adopted to treat several brain disorders. However, the potential role of early EA intervention in the prevention of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as its potential cellular and molecular mechanism has never been investigated previously. In the present study, we used an enhanced single prolonged stress (ESPS) model to access the effects of early EA intervention on the prevention of anxiety-like and fear learning behaviors, as well as the influence of the expression of post-synaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), synaptophysin (Syn), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), diacylglycerol lipase alpha (DAGLα) and cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) in the hippocampus with or without DAGLα or CB1R knockdown by a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in the hippocampus. Moreover, the effects of electrical stimulation with different parameters on the expression of DAGLα and CB1R in the hippocampal astrocytes were also observed. The results showed that Early EA intervention improved hippocampal synaptic plasticity and ameliorated PTSD-like behaviors and also increased expression of BDNF, DAGLα and CB1R. However, either DAGLα or CB1R knockdown by a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) eliminated the neuroprotective effects of early EA intervention. Furthermore, electrical stimulation with 2/15 Hz 1 mA elevated the expression of DAGLα and CB1R. Altogether, our findings provide new insights regarding the possibility of using early EA intervention in the prevention of PTSD, and the protective effects of EA is involving the activation of DAGLα and CB1R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Xue
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Shan-Shan Xue
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Institution of Neuroscience, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Han-Fei Sang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiang'an Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361101, China
| | - Quan-Rui Ma
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology and Embryology, Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Qing-Rong Tan
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Hua-Ning Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Cui-Hong Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Zheng-Wu Peng
- Department of Psychiatry, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
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Signal Transduction Pathways of Acupuncture for Treating Some Nervous System Diseases. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2019; 2019:2909632. [PMID: 31379957 PMCID: PMC6657648 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2909632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In this article, we review signal transduction pathways through which acupuncture treats nervous system diseases. We electronically searched the databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, clinical Key, the Cochrane Library, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure from their inception to December 2018 using the following MeSH headings and keywords alone or in varied combination: acupuncture, molecular, signal transduction, genetic, cerebral ischemic injury, cerebral hemorrhagic injury, stroke, epilepsy, seizure, depression, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, vascular dementia, and Parkinson's disease. Acupuncture treats nervous system diseases by increasing the brain-derived neurotrophic factor level and involves multiple signal pathways, including p38 MAPKs, Raf/MAPK/ERK 1/2, TLR4/ERK, PI3K/AKT, AC/cAMP/PKA, ASK1-JNK/p38, and downstream CREB, JNK, m-TOR, NF-κB, and Bcl-2/Bax balance. Acupuncture affects synaptic plasticity, causes an increase in neurotrophic factors, and results in neuroprotection, cell proliferation, antiapoptosis, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammation, and maintenance of the blood-brain barrier.
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Zhou CH, Xue F, Xue SS, Sang HF, Liu L, Wang Y, Cai M, Zhang ZJ, Tan QR, Wang HN, Peng ZW. Electroacupuncture Pretreatment Ameliorates PTSD-Like Behaviors in Rats by Enhancing Hippocampal Neurogenesis via the Keap1/Nrf2 Antioxidant Signaling Pathway. Front Cell Neurosci 2019; 13:275. [PMID: 31293390 PMCID: PMC6598452 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment is a clinically useful therapy for several brain disorders. However, whether and via which exact molecular mechanisms it ameliorates post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains unclear. In the present study, rats received EA stimulation for seven consecutive days before exposure to enhanced single prolonged stress (ESPS). Anxiety-like and fear learning behaviors; hippocampal neurogenesis; the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (keap1), and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1); and the activity of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) were evaluated at 14 days after ESPS. EA pretreatment improved hippocampal neurogenesis and ameliorated anxiety-like behaviors in ESPS-treated rats. EA pretreatment also increased the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 and the activity of AMPK. Furthermore, Nrf2 knockdown by a short hairpin RNA affected anxiety-like behaviors and expression of neuroprotective markers (BDNF, DCX) in a manner similar to ESPS alone and dampened the neuroprotective effects of EA pretreatment. In contrast, Keap1 knockdown increased the expression of HO-1, improved hippocampal neurogenesis, and alleviated PTSD-like behaviors. Altogether, our results suggest that EA pretreatment ameliorates ESPS-induced anxiety-like behaviors and prevents hippocampal neurogenesis disruption in a rat model of PTSD possibly through regulation of the keap1/Nrf2 antioxidant defense pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui-Hong Zhou
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fen Xue
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shan-Shan Xue
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Han-Fei Sang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiang'an Hospital, Xiamen, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Institution of Neuroscience, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Min Cai
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhang-Jin Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qing-Rong Tan
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hua-Ning Wang
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zheng-Wu Peng
- Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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Cui GH, Guo HD, Li H, Zhai Y, Gong ZB, Wu J, Liu JS, Dong YR, Hou SX, Liu JR. RVG-modified exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells rescue memory deficits by regulating inflammatory responses in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. IMMUNITY & AGEING 2019; 16:10. [PMID: 31114624 PMCID: PMC6515654 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-019-0150-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Exosomes are lipid-bilayer enclosed nano-sized vesicles that transfer functional cellular proteins, mRNA and miRNAs. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived exosomes have been demonstrated to prevent memory deficits in the animal model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the intravenously injected exosomes could be abundantly tracked in other organs except for the targeted regions in the brain. Here, we proposed the use of central nervous system-specific rabies viral glycoprotein (RVG) peptide to target intravenously-infused exosomes derived from MSCs (MSC-Exo) to the brain of transgenic APP/PS1 mice. MSC-Exo were conjugated with RVG through a DOPE-NHS linker. Results RVG-tagged MSC-Exo exhibited improved targeting to the cortex and hippocampus after being administered intravenously. Compared with the group administered MSC-Exo, in the group administered RVG-conjugated MSC-Exo (MSC-RVG-Exo) plaque deposition and Aβ levels were sharply decreased and activation of astrocytes was obviously reduced. The brain targeted exosomes derived from MSCs was better than unmodified exosomes to improve cognitive function in APP/PS1 mice according to Morris water maze test. Additionally, although MSC-Exo injected intravenously reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-β, and IL-6, but the changes of anti-inflammatory factors IL-10 and IL-13 were not obvious. However, administration of MSC-RVG-Exo significantly reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-β, and IL-6 while significantly raised the levels of IL-10, IL-4 and IL-13. Conclusions Taken together, our results demonstrated a novel method for increasing delivery of exosomes for treatment of AD. By targeting exosomes to the cortex and hippocampus of AD mouse, there was a significant improvement in learning and memory capabilities with reduced plaque deposition and Aβ levels, and normalized levels of inflammatory cytokines. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12979-019-0150-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Hong Cui
- 1Department of Neurology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011 China
| | - Hai-Dong Guo
- 2Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Han Li
- 2Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Yu Zhai
- 1Department of Neurology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011 China
| | - Zhang-Bin Gong
- 3Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203 China
| | - Jing Wu
- 1Department of Neurology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011 China
| | - Jian-Sheng Liu
- 1Department of Neurology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011 China
| | - You-Rong Dong
- 1Department of Neurology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011 China
| | - Shuang-Xing Hou
- 4Department of Neurology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, 201399 China
| | - Jian-Ren Liu
- 1Department of Neurology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011 China
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Ding N, Jiang J, Xu A, Tang Y, Li Z. Manual Acupuncture Regulates Behavior and Cerebral Blood Flow in the SAMP8 Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:37. [PMID: 30766475 PMCID: PMC6365452 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that cerebrovascular function abnormality plays a key role in occurrence and worsening of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Reduction of cerebral blood flow (CBF) is a sensitive marker to early perfusion deficiencies in AD. As one of the most important therapies in complementary and alternative medicine, manual acupuncture (MA) has been used in the treatment of AD. However, the moderating effect of MA on CBF remains largely unknown. Objective: To investigate the effect of MA on the behavior and CBF of SAMP8 mice. Methods: SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into the AD, MA, and medicine (M) groups, with SAMR1 mice used as the normal control (N) group. Mice in the M group were treated with donepezil hydrochloride at 0.65 μg/g. In the MA group, MA was applied at Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (GV29) for 20 min. The above treatments were administered once a day for 15 consecutive days. The Morris water maze and arterial spin labeling MRI were used to assess spatial learning and memory in behavior and CBF respectively. Results: Compared with the AD group, both MA and donepezil significantly decreased the escape latency (p < 0.01), while also elevating platform crossover number and the percentage of time and swimming distance in the platform quadrant (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). The remarkable improvement in escape latency in the MA group appeared earlier than the M group, and no significant statistical significance was observed between the N and MA group with the exception of days 5 and 10. The CBF in the prefrontal lobe and hippocampus in the MA group was substantially higher than in the AD group (p < 0.05) with the exception of the right prefrontal lobe, with similar effects of donepezil. Conclusion: Manual acupuncture can effectively improve the spatial learning, relearning and memory abilities of SAMP8 mice. The increase in CBF in the prefrontal lobe and hippocampus could be an important mechanism for the beneficial cognitive effects of MA in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ding
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- School of Nursing, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Anping Xu
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yinshan Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation in Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Influence of electroacupuncture therapy of tonifying the kidney and regulating governor vessel on Aβ related degradation enzymes in the hippocampus of a rat model of Alzheimer's disease induced by Aβ1-42. WORLD JOURNAL OF ACUPUNCTURE-MOXIBUSTION 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wjam.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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18
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Yang Q, Zhu S, Xu J, Tang C, Wu K, Wu Y, Wang Y, Sheng H. Effect of the electro-acupuncture on senile plaques and its formation in APP +/PS1 + double transgenic mice. Genes Dis 2018; 6:282-289. [PMID: 32042867 PMCID: PMC6997572 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and its incidence will increase with age and is aggravating. The senile plaques (SPs) are one of three main pathological features in AD patients, which are formed by amyloid β-protein (Aβ) over-accumulation. β-amyloid precursor protein (APP), β-site APP cleavage (BACE1), and insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) proteins participate in the process of Aβ production and degradation. At present, the pathogenesis of AD is not yet clear and the current treatment methods can only relief the related symptoms of AD. The electro-acupuncture (EA) is a traditional Chinese medicine treatment combined the acupuncture and electrical stimulation and the treatment effect can also be controlled by transform the electrical frequency. Thus, in this experiment, we carried out behavioral test, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and Western Blot (WB) after different period treatments to the model mice by electro-acupuncturing “Baihui” and “Shenshu” acupoints in APP+/PS1+ double transgenic mice. It was found that the EA therapy can improve the ability of learning, memory and spatial exploration, and reduce the deposition of SPs in brain of AD model mice, and reduce the expressions of APP and BACE1, increase the expression of IDE protein. These results prompt that EA can effectively alleviate the pathological process of AD. We speculate that EA may play a comprehensive role in preventing the development of AD, considering the previous data.
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Key Words
- AD, Alzheimer's disease
- APP, β-
- Ach, aetylcholine
- AchE, cholinesterase
- Alzheimer's disease
- Amyloid β-protein
- Aβ, amyloid β-protein
- ChAT, aetylcholine tansferase
- EA, electro-acupuncture
- Electro-acupuncture
- IDE, insulin degrading enzyme
- IHC, immunohistochemistry
- SOD, superoxide dismutase
- SPs, senile plaques
- Senile plaques
- Transgenic mice
- amyloid precursor protein, BACE1
- β-, site APP cleavage
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua Yang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shujuan Zhu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chenglin Tang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kaihui Wu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanjun Wu
- Institute of Neuroscience, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yiying Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Huajun Sheng
- Institute of Neuroscience, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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The Effect of Electroacupuncture versus Manual Acupuncture through the Expression of TrkB/NF- κB in the Subgranular Zone of the Dentate Gyrus of Telomerase-Deficient Mice. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2018; 2018:1013978. [PMID: 29849690 PMCID: PMC5937603 DOI: 10.1155/2018/1013978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Our previous study showed that the acupuncture stimulation on the acupoint (ST-36) could activate the brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) signaling pathways in telomerase-deficient mice. Recently, we set out to investigate whether the manual acupuncture (MA) or electroacupuncture (EA) displays a therapeutic advantage on age-related deterioration of learning and memory. Both telomerase-deficient mice (Terc−/− group, n = 24) and wild-type mice (WT group, n = 24) were randomly assigned to 3 subgroups (CON, controls with no treatment; MA, mice receiving manual acupuncture; EA, mice receiving electric acupuncture). The mice were subjected to behavior test, and EA/MA were applied at bilateral acupoints (ST36) 30 min daily for 7 successive days. The brain tissues were collected after the last Morris water maze (MWM) test and were subjected to the immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. The MWM test showed that EA can significantly increase the time in target quadrant (P ≤ 0.01) and frequency of locating platform for Terc−/− mice (P ≤ 0.05), while nothing changed in WT mice. Furthermore, western blotting and immunohistochemistry suggested that EA could also specifically increase the expression of TrkB and NF-κB in Terc−/− mice but not in wild-type mice (P ≤ 0.05). Meanwhile, the expression level and ratio of ERK/p-ERK did not exhibit significant changes in each subgroup. These results indicated that, compared with MA, the application of EA could specifically ameliorate the spatial learning and memory capability for telomerase-deficient mice through the activation of TrkB and NF-κB.
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Cui GH, Wu J, Mou FF, Xie WH, Wang FB, Wang QL, Fang J, Xu YW, Dong YR, Liu JR, Guo HD. Exosomes derived from hypoxia-preconditioned mesenchymal stromal cells ameliorate cognitive decline by rescuing synaptic dysfunction and regulating inflammatory responses in APP/PS1 mice. FASEB J 2018; 32:654-668. [PMID: 28970251 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700600r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Administration of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) could improve some neurologic conditions by transferring functional biomolecules to recipient cells. Furthermore, exosomes from hypoxic progenitor cells exerted better therapeutic effects in organ injury through specific cargoes. However, there are no related reports about whether exosomes derived from MSCs or hypoxia-preconditioned MSCs (PC-MSCs) could prevent memory deficits in Alzheimer disease (AD). In this study, the exosomes derived from MSCs or PC-MSCs were systemically administered to transgenic APP/PS1 mice. The expression of miR-21 in MSCs was significantly increased after hypoxic treatment. Injection of exosomes from normoxic MSCs could rescue cognition and memory impairment according to results of the Morris water maze test, reduced plaque deposition, and Aβ levels in the brain; could decrease the activation of astrocytes and microglia; could down-regulate proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β); and could up-regulate anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and -10) in AD mice, as well as reduce the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and NF-κB. Compared to the group administered exosomes from normoxic MSCs, in the group administered exosomes from PC-MSCs, learning and memory capabilities were significantly improved; the plaque deposition and Aβ levels were lower, and expression of growth-associated protein 43, synapsin 1, and IL-10 was increased; and the levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein, ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1, TNF-α, IL-1β, and activation of STAT3 and NF-κB were sharply decreased. More importantly, exosomes from PC-MSCs effectively increased the level of miR-21 in the brain of AD mice. Additionally, replenishment of miR-21 restored the cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice and prevented pathologic features. Taken together, these findings suggest that exosomes from PC-MSCs could improve the learning and memory capabilities of APP/PS1 mice, and that the underlying mechanism may lie in the restoration of synaptic dysfunction and regulation of inflammatory responses through regulation of miR-21.-Cui, G.-H., Wu, J., Mou, F.-F., Xie, W.-H., Wang, F.-B., Wang, Q.-L., Fang, J., Xu, Y.-W., Dong, Y.-R., Liu, J.-R., Guo, H.-D. Exosomes derived from hypoxia-preconditioned mesenchymal stromal cells ameliorate cognitive decline by rescuing synaptic dysfunction and regulating inflammatory responses in APP/PS1 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Hong Cui
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang-Fang Mou
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Hua Xie
- Department of Constipation, Acupuncture, and Moxibustion, Hospital of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
| | - Fu-Bo Wang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang-Li Wang
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Fang
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-Wu Xu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - You-Rong Dong
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Ren Liu
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai-Dong Guo
- Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Liu W, Zhuo P, Li L, Jin H, Lin B, Zhang Y, Liang S, Wu J, Huang J, Wang Z, Lin R, Chen L, Tao J. Activation of brain glucose metabolism ameliorating cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 transgenic mice by electroacupuncture. Free Radic Biol Med 2017; 112:174-190. [PMID: 28756309 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2016] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
An essential feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is implicated in brain energy metabolic impairment that is considered underlying pathogenesis of cognitive impairment. Therefore, therapeutic interventions to allay cognitive deficits that target energy metabolism may be an efficacy strategy in AD. In this study, we found that electroacupuncture (EA) at the DU20 acupoint obviously increased glucose metabolism in specific brain regions such as cortex, hippocampus, cingulate gyrus, basal forebrain septum, brain stem, and cerebellum in APP/PS1 transgenic mice by animal 18F-Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-Glucose (18F-FDG)/positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, accompanied by cognitive improvements in the spatial reference learning and memory and memory flexibility and novel object recognition performances. Further evidence shown energy metabolism occurred in neurons or non-neuronal cells of the cortex and hippocampus in terms of the co-location of GLUT3/NeuN and GLUT1/GFAP. Simultaneously, metabolic homeostatic factors were critical for glucose metabolism, including phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and AKT serine/threonine kinase. Furthermore, EA-induced phosphorylated AMPK and AKT inhibited the phosphorylation level of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) to decrease the accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) in the cortex and hippocampus. These findings are concluded that EA is a potential therapeutic target for delaying memory decline and Aβ deposition of AD. The AMPK and AKT are implicated in the EA-induced cortical and hippocampal energy metabolism, which served as a contributor to improving cognitive function and Aβ deposition in a transgenic mouse model of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weilin Liu
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Peiyuan Zhuo
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Long Li
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Hao Jin
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Bingbing Lin
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Yingzheng Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Shengxiang Liang
- Division of Nuclear Technology and Applications, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Jia Huang
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Zhifu Wang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Ruhui Lin
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
| | - Lidian Chen
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China.
| | - Jing Tao
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China.
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Effects of Acupuncture on Alzheimer's Disease in Animal-Based Research. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2017; 2017:6512520. [PMID: 29234418 PMCID: PMC5635287 DOI: 10.1155/2017/6512520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and severe functional deficits in the brain. The pathogenesis and treatment of AD remain topics of investigation and significant global socioeconomic issues. The effect of complementary medicine has been investigated in managing AD. Acupuncture, a form of therapy practiced for more than 3000 years, has shown positive effects on several neurological disorders including AD. Animal studies have evaluated the specific utility and neuropathological mechanisms addressed by acupoint manipulation; however, no study has summarized the relationships among different acupoints and their therapeutic effects in the context of AD. Therefore, we reviewed the effects of acupuncture at different acupoints in animal models of AD. In general, acupuncture produced therapeutic benefits in rodent models of AD. Studies demonstrate the utility of GV20 as a valuable acupoint for electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture. GV20 stimulation suppresses Aβ generation, improves glucose metabolism, and attenuates neuropathological features in various disease models. However, a lack of sufficient evidence in preclinical and clinical studies makes these results controversial. Additional studies are required to confirm the exact utility of specific acupoints in clinically managing AD.
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Ding N, Jiang J, Lu M, Hu J, Xu Y, Liu X, Li Z. Manual Acupuncture Suppresses the Expression of Proinflammatory Proteins Associated with the NLRP3 Inflammasome in the Hippocampus of SAMP8 Mice. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2017; 2017:3435891. [PMID: 28904553 PMCID: PMC5585617 DOI: 10.1155/2017/3435891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of manual acupuncture (MA) on NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins. METHODS SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into Alzheimer's disease (AD) group, the MA group, and the medicine (M) group. Mice in the M group were treated with donepezil hydrochloride at 0.65 μg/g. In the MA group, MA was applied on Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (GV29) for 20 min and then pricked at Shuigou (GV26). The Morris water maze was applied to assess spatial learning and memory. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis were used to observe the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins. RESULTS Compared with the normal (N) control group, spatial learning and the memory capabilities of the AD group significantly decreased (p < 0.01). The number of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, and IL-1β positively stained cells in the AD group was higher than the N group, and the relative expression levels of the above proteins were significantly higher than those in the N group (p < 0.01). These changes were reversed by both MA and donepezil (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION MA can improve the learning and memory capabilities of SAMP8 mice. The negative regulation of the NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway in the hippocampus may be a possible mechanism of MA in the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ding
- Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Menghan Lu
- Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jiatong Hu
- Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yiyuan Xu
- Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Liu
- Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
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Musical Electroacupuncture May Be a Better Choice than Electroacupuncture in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Neural Plast 2016; 2016:3131586. [PMID: 27974974 PMCID: PMC5128719 DOI: 10.1155/2016/3131586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2016] [Revised: 09/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives. To compare musical electroacupuncture and electroacupuncture in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Methods. In this study, 7.5-month-old male senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice were used as an Alzheimer's disease animal model. In the normal control paradigm, 7.5-month-old male SAMR1 mice were used as the blank control group (N group). After 15 days of treatment, using Morris water maze test, micro-PET, and immunohistochemistry, the differences among the musical electroacupuncture (MEA), electroacupuncture (EA), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and normal (N) groups were assessed. Results. The Morris water maze test, micro-PET, and immunohistochemistry revealed that MEA and EA therapies could improve spatial learning and memory ability, glucose metabolism level in the brain, and Aβ amyloid content in the frontal lobe, compared with the AD group (P < 0.05). Moreover, MEA therapy performed better than EA treatment in decreasing amyloid-beta levels in the frontal lobe of mice with AD. Conclusion. MEA therapy may be superior to EA in treating Alzheimer's disease as demonstrated in SAMP8 mice.
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25
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Emerging role of N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) in cancer. Oncotarget 2016; 7:209-23. [PMID: 26506239 PMCID: PMC4807993 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) is a tumor suppressor and cell stress-related gene. NDRG2 is associated with tumor incidence, progression, and metastasis. NDRG2 regulates tumor-associated genes and is regulated by multiple conditions, treatments, and protein/RNA entities, including hyperthermia, trichostatin A and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, which are promising potential cancer therapeutics. In this review, we discuss the expression as well as the clinical and pathological significance of NDRG2 in cancer. The pathological processes and molecular pathways regulated by NDRG2 are also summarized. Moreover, mechanisms for increasing NDRG2 expression in tumors and the potential directions of future NDRG2 research are discussed. The information reviewed here should assist in experimental design and increase the potential of NDRG2 as a therapeutic target for cancer.
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Chen Y, Lei Y, Mo LQ, Li J, Wang MH, Wei JC, Zhou J. Electroacupuncture pretreatment with different waveforms prevents brain injury in rats subjected to cecal ligation and puncture via inhibiting microglial activation, and attenuating inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. Brain Res Bull 2016; 127:248-259. [PMID: 27771396 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2016.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 09/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Sepsis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This study was to investigate the protective effects of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment with different waveforms on septic brain injury in rats and its mechanism. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated by EA with different waveforms (continuous wave, dilatational wave, or intermittent wave) at Baihui (GV20) and Tsusanli (ST36) acupoints for 30min, and underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or sham operation. The results showed that EA pretreatment with different waveforms improved survival rate, attenuated encephaledema, brain injury, neuronal apoptosis and cognitive dysfunction, and preserved blood-brain barrier (BBB). EA pretreatment decreased the production of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, interleukin(IL)-6, malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in serum and hippocampus at 48h after sham or CLP operation. Additionally, EA pretreatment downregulated the expressions of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1(Iba 1). The effect of dilatational wave was the most significant, followed by intermittent wave, and continuous wave was relatively poor. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that EA pretreatment with three waveforms alleviates sepsis-induced brain injury by inhibition of microglial activation and attenuation of inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. These findings suggest that EA pretreatment with dilatational wave at Baihui and Tsusanli acupoints might be a promising therapeutic strategy for relieving septic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
| | - Yu Lei
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
| | - Li-Qun Mo
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
| | - Mao-Hua Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
| | - Ji-Cheng Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China.
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Improvement of Electroacupuncture on APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice in Spatial Learning and Memory Probably due to Expression of A β and LRP1 in Hippocampus. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2016; 2016:7603975. [PMID: 27829865 PMCID: PMC5088312 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7603975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Objectives. To explore the alterations of β-amyloid (Aβ) and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1) in APP/PS1 mice after electroacupuncture (EA) treatment and further to explore the mechanism. Methods. Forty 6-month-old APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into a model group and an EA group, with twenty wild-type mice used as a normal control group. Mice in the EA group were treated with EA at GV 20 (băi huì) and bilateral KI 1 (yŏng quán) acupoints for 6 weeks. The Morris water maze was applied to assess the spatial memory in behavior. Immunohistochemistry (IHC), ELISA, Western blotting, and so forth were used to observe the expression of LRP1 and Aβ. Results. The Morris water maze test showed that, compared with the normal control group, the model group's learning and memory capabilities were significantly decreased (P < 0.05; P < 0.01). The EA group was reversed (P < 0.05; P < 0.01). The hippocampal expression of Aβ in the EA group was significantly decreased compared to the model group (P < 0.01). The expression of LRP1 in the model group was significantly lower than that in the normal control group (P < 0.01); the expression in the EA group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P < 0.01). Conclusions. EA therapy can improve the learning and memory capabilities of APP/PS1 mice. The underlying mechanism may lie in the upregulation of an Aβ transport receptor and LRP1.
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Dong W, Quo W, Wang F, Li C, Xie Y, Zheng X, Shi H. Electroacupuncture Upregulates SIRT1-Dependent PGC-1α Expression in SAMP8 Mice. Med Sci Monit 2015; 21:3356-62. [PMID: 26530101 PMCID: PMC4638282 DOI: 10.12659/msm.894864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Abnormalities of brain energy metabolism are involved in Alzheimer disease (AD). Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a class III histone deacetylase and activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ co-activator-1α (PGC-1α), which enhances mitochondrial biogenesis and energy homeostasis. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to improve brain energy metabolism in AD. However, the effect of EA on SIRT1 and PGC-1α in AD remains unclear. Material/Methods ATP levels were measured using assay kits in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice. Western blotting analysis and quantitative real-time RT-PCR were performed to measure the expression of SIRT1 and PGC-1α in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice. PGC-1α acetylation was analyzed using immunoprecipitation. Results Compared with senescence-accelerated resistant mice 1 (SAMR1) mice, SAMP8 mice had a decline in ATP levels and the expression of SIRT1 and PGC-1α. EA treatment improved ATP levels, upregulated the expression of SIRT1 and PGC-1α, and decreased PGC-1α acetylation. Conclusions These data suggest that EA improved brain energy metabolism, potentially associated with the upregulation of SIRT1-dependent PGC-1α expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiguo Dong
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China (mainland)
| | - Wanqing Quo
- The Third People's Hospital of Fujian Province, Fuzhou, Fujian, China (mainland)
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China (mainland)
| | - Changzheng Li
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China (mainland)
| | - Yongcai Xie
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China (mainland)
| | - Xuehua Zheng
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China (mainland)
| | - Hong Shi
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China (mainland)
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Lin K, Yin A, Yao L, Li Y. N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 in the nervous system: from expression pattern to function. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2015; 47:761-6. [PMID: 26341979 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmv082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) has been shown to be a multifunctional protein associated with cell proliferation, differentiation, transmembrane transport, and stress responses. In most mammalian brains, NDRG2 is principally expressed in astrocytic cells throughout different regions. NDRG2 has been increasingly implicated in the regulation of neurogenesis and in the development of nervous system diseases, including neurodegeneration, ischemia, and glioblastoma. This review summarizes the distribution and subcellular localization of NDRG2 in brain tissues, highlights the physiological actions of NDRG2 in the nervous system, and further discusses the roles of NDRG2 during the occurrence and development of several nervous system diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaifeng Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Anqi Yin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Libo Yao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China Department of Anesthesiology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
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Dong WG, Wang F, Chen Y, Zheng XH, Xie YC, Guo WQ, Shi H. Electroacupuncture Reduces Aβ Production and BACE1 Expression in SAMP8 Mice. Front Aging Neurosci 2015; 7:148. [PMID: 26283960 PMCID: PMC4518199 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2015.00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to have beneficial effects on Alzheimer’s disease (AD). BACE1 (β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1) is involved in the abnormal production of amyloid-β plaque (Aβ), a hallmark of AD pathophysiology. Thus, the present study investigated the effects of EA on memory impairment, Aβ production, and BACE1 expression in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice. We found that EA improved spatial learning and memory impairment of SAMP8 mice. Furthermore, EA attenuated Aβ production and repressed the expression of BACE1 in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice. Taken together, our results suggest that EA could have a potential therapeutic application in AD and that BACE1 may be an important target of EA in the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Guo Dong
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Fuzhou , China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Fuzhou , China
| | - Ye Chen
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Fuzhou , China
| | - Xue-Hua Zheng
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Fuzhou , China
| | - Yong-Cai Xie
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Fuzhou , China
| | - Wan-Qing Guo
- The Third People's Hospital of Fujian Province , Fuzhou , China
| | - Hong Shi
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Fuzhou , China
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Dong W, Guo W, Zheng X, Wang F, Chen Y, Zhang W, Shi H. Electroacupuncture improves cognitive deficits associated with AMPK activation in SAMP8 mice. Metab Brain Dis 2015; 30:777-84. [PMID: 25502012 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-014-9641-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Perturbations of brain energy metabolism are involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase (AMPK) is a master energy sensor that monitors the levels of key energy metabolites. Electroacupuncture (EA) has demonstrated therapeutic potential for the treatment of AD. The effects of EA on cognitive functions and the changes of AMPK and its phosphorylated form (p-AMPK) expression were investigated in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice. Cognitive function of SAMP8 mice was assessed using Morris water maze test after EA treatment. Then mice were sacrificed for immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. EA stimulation significantly alleviated memory impairment of AD mice, and increased the levels of p-AMPK in the hippocampus. These results suggest that EA improved cognitive function associated with AMPK activation, AMPK may be a molecular target of EA in treating AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiguo Dong
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350122, Peoples Republic of China,
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