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Tan Q, Liu X, Xu S, Chen J, Li W, Zhang S, Du Y. Global trends and hotspots in research on acupuncture for neurodegenerative diseases over the last decade: a bibliometric and visualization analysis. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1390384. [PMID: 38800611 PMCID: PMC11116584 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1390384] [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: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to explore the current status and trends of acupuncture for neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) in the last decade and provide new insights for researchers in future studies. Methods The publications concerning acupuncture treatment for NDs published between 2014 and 2023 were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection. We used CiteSpace and VOSviewer to analyze data on numbers of annual publications, countries, institutions, cited journals, cited authors, cited references, keywords, and citation bursts about acupuncture for NDs. Results A total of 635 publications were obtained from 2014 to 2023. We identified the most prolific journals, countries, institutions, authors, patterns of authorship, and the main direction of future research in the field of acupuncture for NDs in the last decade. The country, institution, and journal with the most publications are China (389 articles), Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (56 articles), and Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (42 articles), respectively. The high-frequency keywords focused on "Alzheimer's disease," "Parkinson's disease," "acupuncture," "dementia," and "electroacupuncture." The top five keywords in terms of centrality were "cerebral ischemia," "acupuncture stimulation," "fMRI," "apoptosis," and "deep brain stimulation." Conclusion The results from this bibliometric study provide insight into the research trends in acupuncture therapy for NDs, and the current status and trends of the past decade, which may help researchers confirm the current status, hotspots, and frontier trends in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Tan
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinyuan Liu
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuyu Xu
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiangmin Chen
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Weixian Li
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanjun Du
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, Wuhan, China
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Zhang Y, Ding N, Hao X, Zhao J, Zhao Y, Li Y, Li Z. Manual acupuncture benignly regulates blood-brain barrier disruption and reduces lipopolysaccharide loading and systemic inflammation, possibly by adjusting the gut microbiota. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1018371. [PMID: 36313024 PMCID: PMC9607933 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1018371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and gut microbiota dysbiosis play crucial roles in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation triggered by gut microbial dysbiosis is an important factor in BBB disruption and systemic inflammation, but the mechanism of acupuncture regulation of BBB disruption via the gut microbiota in AD is not clear. OBJECTIVE The current study evaluated the effect of manual acupuncture (MA) on BBB dysfunction in APP/PS1 mice and examined the mechanism of gut microbiota by acupuncture in AD. METHODS Acupoints were applied to Baihui (GV20), Yintang (GV29), and Zusanli (ST36) in the MA group. Mice in the manual acupuncture plus antibiotics (MAa) group received antibiotics and acupuncture, while mice in the probiotics (P) group received probiotics. Alterations in spatial learning and memory, the gut microbiota, tightly connected structure and permeability of BBB, and the expression of LPS and inflammatory factors in each group were assessed. RESULTS Compared to the normal (N) group, cognitive ability was significantly impaired, the gut microbiota composition was markedly altered, the BBB was significantly disrupted, and the expression of LPS in serum and brain, serum TNF-α, and IL-1β were significantly increased in the AD group (p < 0.01). These changes were inhibited in the MA and P groups (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05), and antibiotics reversed the benign regulatory effects of MA (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Manual acupuncture benignly modulated the gut microbiota and BBB dysfunction, reduced LPS, TNF-α, and IL-1β. These effects were comparable to probiotics. The decrease in LPS load and systemic inflammation may play important roles in the regulation of BBB dysfunction by acupuncture, and the gut microbiota may be a potential target for the benign regulation of BBB disruption by acupuncture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Ding
- Department of Acupuncture, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Hao
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yali Zhao
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yiran Li
- School of International, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Hao X, Ding N, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Zhao Y, Zhao J, Li Y, Li Z. Benign regulation of the gut microbiota: The possible mechanism through which the beneficial effects of manual acupuncture on cognitive ability and intestinal mucosal barrier function occur in APP/PS1 mice. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:960026. [PMID: 35992924 PMCID: PMC9382294 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.960026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gut microbiota dysbiosis and intestinal barrier injury play vital roles in Alzheimer's disease (AD) onset and development. Our previous studies have demonstrated that manual acupuncture (MA) could improve the cognitive abilities of APP/PS1 mice. However, the effect of MA on the intestinal mucosal barrier and the gut microbiota mechanism through which this effect occurs remain to be clarified. Methods In the APP/PS1 manual acupuncture (Am) group, MA was applied in Baihui (GV20), Yintang (GV29), and Zusanli (ST36). Mice in the APP/PS1 antibiotic + manual acupuncture (Aa) group were treated with an antibiotic mixture and MA at the same time. Probiotics were delivered to the APP/PS1 probiotics (Ap) group. Alterations in spatial learning and memory, the gut microbiota, the intestinal barrier function, and the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and TNF-α were evaluated in each group. Results Compared with the C57BL/6 control (Cc) group, cognitive ability was significantly decreased, the gut microbiota structure was obviously disrupted, intestinal barrier integrity was drastically impaired, and the intestinal inflammatory response was enhanced in the APP/PS1 control (Ac) group (P < 0.01). These changes were reversed by MA and probiotics (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), whereas antibiotics inhibited the benign regulation by MA (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Conclusion Manual acupuncture can benignly modulate gut microbiota dysbiosis, significantly reduce intestinal inflammation, and effectively alleviate the destruction of the intestinal mucosal barrier in APP/PS1 mice, and the effects are comparable to those of probiotics. The gut microbiota may play an important role in the improvement of the cognitive function and intestinal barrier function by MA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Hao
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Ding
- Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yichen Yang
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yali Zhao
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yiran Li
- International School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhigang Li
- School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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Inflammation and Nitro-oxidative Stress as Drivers of Endocannabinoid System Aberrations in Mood Disorders and Schizophrenia. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:3485-3503. [PMID: 35347586 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02800-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is composed of the endocannabinoid ligands anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylgycerol (2-AG), their target cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) and the enzymes involved in their synthesis and metabolism (N-acyltransferase and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in the case of AEA and diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) in the case of 2-AG). The origins of ECS dysfunction in major neuropsychiatric disorders remain to be determined, and this paper explores the possibility that they may be associated with chronically increased nitro-oxidative stress and activated immune-inflammatory pathways, and it examines the mechanisms which might be involved. Inflammation and nitro-oxidative stress are associated with both increased CB1 expression, via increased activity of the NADPH oxidases NOX4 and NOX1, and increased CNR1 expression and DNA methylation; and CB2 upregulation via increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, binding of the transcription factor Nrf2 to an antioxidant response element in the CNR2 promoter region and the action of miR-139. CB1 and CB2 have antagonistic effects on redox signalling, which may result from a miRNA-enabled negative feedback loop. The effects of inflammation and oxidative stress are detailed in respect of AEA and 2-AG levels, via effects on calcium homeostasis and phospholipase A2 activity; on FAAH activity, via nitrosylation/nitration of functional cysteine and/or tyrosine residues; and on 2-AG activity via effects on MGLL expression and MAGL. Finally, based on these detailed molecular neurobiological mechanisms, it is suggested that cannabidiol and dimethyl fumarate may have therapeutic potential for major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
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Functional cortical associations and their intraclass correlations and heritability as revealed by the fMRI Human Connectome Project. Exp Brain Res 2022; 240:1459-1469. [PMID: 35292842 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06346-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
We report on the functional connectivity (FC), its intraclass correlation (ICC), and heritability among 70 areas of the human cerebral cortex. FC was estimated as the Pearson correlation between averaged prewhitened Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent time series of cortical areas in 988 young adult participants in the Human Connectome Project. Pairs of areas were assigned to three groups, namely homotopic (same area in the two hemispheres), ipsilateral (both areas in the same hemisphere), and heterotopic (nonhomotopic areas in different hemispheres). ICC for each pair of areas was computed for six genetic groups, namely monozygotic (MZ) twins, dizygotic (DZ) twins, singleton siblings of MZ twins (MZsb), singleton siblings of DZ twins (DZsb), non-twin siblings (SB), and unrelated individuals (UNR). With respect to FC, we found the following. (a) Homotopic FC was stronger than ipsilateral and heterotopic FC; (b) average FCs of left and right cortical areas were highly and positively correlated; and (c) FC varied in a systematic fashion along the anterior-posterior and inferior-superior dimensions, such that it increased from anterior to posterior and from inferior to superior. With respect to ICC, we found the following. (a) Homotopic ICC was significantly higher than ipsilateral and heterotopic ICC, but the latter two did not differ significantly from each other; (b) ICC was highest for MZ twins; (c) ICC of DZ twins was significantly lower than that of the MZ twins and higher than that of the three sibling groups (MZsb, DZsb, SB); and (d) ICC was close to zero for UNR. Finally, with respect to heritability, it was highest for homotopic areas, followed by ipsilateral, and heterotopic; however, it did not differ statistically significantly from each other.
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Zhao Y, Wang S, Song X, Yuan J, Qi D, Gu X, Yin MY, Han Z, Zhu Y, Liu Z, Zhang Y, Wei L, Wei ZZ. Glial Cell-Based Vascular Mechanisms and Transplantation Therapies in Brain Vessel and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:627682. [PMID: 33841101 PMCID: PMC8032950 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.627682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) with severe neurological/psychiatric symptoms, such as cerebrovascular pathology in AD, CAA, and chronic stroke, have brought greater attention with their incidence and prevalence having markedly increased over the past few years. Causes of the significant neuropathologies, especially those observed in neurological diseases in the CNS, are commonly believed to involve multiple factors such as an age, a total environment, genetics, and an immunity contributing to their progression, neuronal, and vascular injuries. We primarily focused on the studies of glial involvement/dysfunction in part with the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the neurovascular unit (NVU) changes, and the vascular mechanisms, which have been both suggested as critical roles in chronic stroke and many other NDDs. It has been noted that glial cells including astrocytes (which outnumber other cell types in the CNS) essentially contribute more to the BBB integrity, extracellular homeostasis, neurotransmitter release, regulation of neurogenic niches in response to neuroinflammatory stimulus, and synaptic plasticity. In a recent study for NDDs utilizing cellular and molecular biology and genetic and pharmacological tools, the role of reactive astrocytes (RACs) and gliosis was demonstrated, able to trigger pathophysiological/psychopathological detrimental changes during the disease progression. We speculate, in particular, the BBB, the NVU, and changes of the astrocytes (potentially different populations from the RACs) not only interfere with neuronal development and synaptogenesis, but also generate oxidative damages, contribute to beta-amyloid clearances and disrupted vasculature, as well as lead to neuroinflammatory disorders. During the past several decades, stem cell therapy has been investigated with a research focus to target related neuro-/vascular pathologies (cell replacement and repair) and neurological/psychiatric symptoms (paracrine protection and homeostasis). Evidence shows that transplantation of neurogenic or vasculogenic cells could be achieved to pursue differentiation and maturation within the diseased brains as expected. It would be hoped that, via regulating functions of astrocytes, astrocytic involvement, and modulation of the BBB, the NVU and astrocytes should be among major targets for therapeutics against NDDs pathogenesis by drug and cell-based therapies. The non-invasive strategies in combination with stem cell transplantation such as the well-tested intranasal deliveries for drug and stem cells by our and many other groups show great translational potentials in NDDs. Neuroimaging and clinically relevant analyzing tools need to be evaluated in various NDDs brains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zhao
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Critical Care Medicine, Airport Hospital of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuanglin Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Airport Hospital of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Department of Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Institute of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaopeng Song
- Mclean Imaging Center, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States
| | - Junliang Yuan
- Mclean Imaging Center, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States.,Department of Neurology, Institute of Mental Health, Peking University Sixth Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Qi
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohuan Gu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Michael Yaoyao Yin
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.,Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Zhou Han
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Yanbing Zhu
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yongbo Zhang
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Zheng Zachory Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Emory Specialized Center of Sex Differences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Yu CC, He C, Du YJ, Gao S, Lin YF, Wang SQ, Wang L, Wang J, Wang XS, Jiang T, Kong LH. Preventive electroacupuncture reduces cognitive deficits in a rat model of D-galactose-induced aging. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:916-923. [PMID: 33229729 PMCID: PMC8178792 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.297090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture can reduce cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease. However, whether electroacupuncture can prevent or alleviate the cognitive deficits in animal models of aging remains poorly understood. Studies have shown that disordered epigenetic modifications play a critical role in age-related cognitive decline. Therefore, we hypothesized that preventive electroacupuncture might improve cognitive functions during aging by regulating epigenetic modifications. A rat model of aging was produced by intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/kg D-galactose for 8 weeks. Baihui and Shenshu acupoints were stimulated by electroacupuncture for 8 weeks from the first day of D-galactose administration. Preventive electroacupuncture alleviated memory impairment, decreased tau hyperphosphorylation, and reduced glycogen synthase kinase-3β protein and mRNA expression levels in the brainstem dorsal raphe nucleus, where intracellular neurofibrillary tangle lesions first occur. In addition, the DNA methylation level in the promoter region of the glycogen synthase kinase-3β gene was increased. The effects of preventive electroacupuncture were stronger than those of preventive acupuncture. Intraperitoneal injection of 0.4 mg/kg 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase that blocks epigenetic modifications, antagonized the effects of preventive electroacupuncture. Our results suggest that preventive electroacupuncture treatment alleviates cognitive impairment in aging rats probably by affecting the epigenetic modification of the glycogen synthase kinase-3β gene in the dorsal raphe nucleus. This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, China (approval No. HUCMS201712001) on November 28, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Chao Yu
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital; The 4th Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chuan He
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yan-Jun Du
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Shan Gao
- Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wuhan Hospital of Integrated Chinese & Western Medicine, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yuan-Fang Lin
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital; The 4th Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shu-Qin Wang
- Department of Tuina, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital; The 4th Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Li Wang
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wuhan Hospital of Integrated Chinese & Western Medicine, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xue-Song Wang
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
| | - Li-Hong Kong
- College of Acupuncture and Orthopedics, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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Xu A, Zeng Q, Tang Y, Wang X, Yuan X, Zhou Y, Li Z. Electroacupuncture Protects Cognition by Regulating Tau Phosphorylation and Glucose Metabolism via the AKT/GSK3β Signaling Pathway in Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:585476. [PMID: 33328854 PMCID: PMC7714768 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.585476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is mainly manifested as a continuous and progressive decline in cognitive ability. Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are pathological hallmarks of AD and due to accumulated phosphorylated Tau. Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β), as a major Tau kinase and a downstream target of the serine protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway, can regulate Tau phosphorylation in AD. Importantly, the AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway is involved in glucose metabolism, and abnormal glucose metabolism is found in the AD brain. Numerous studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA), which is thought to be a potential complementary therapeutic approach for AD, can protect cognitive ability to a certain extent. Objective The purpose of this experiment was to investigate whether the protective and beneficial mechanism of EA on cognition was mediated by the AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway, thereby improving glucose metabolism and Tau phosphorylation in the brain. Methods EA was applied to the Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (GV29) acupoints of 6-month-old amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin-1 (PS1) mice for 20 min, and then quickly prick Shuigou (GV26) acupoint. The intervention was performed once every other day for 28 days. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was performed on C57BL/6N (Non-Tg) mice, APP/PS1 (Tg) mice and EA-treated Tg (Tg + EA) mice to evaluate the effect of EA therapy on cognitive function. 18F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET), immunohistochemistry, and western blotting (WB) were used to investigate the possible mechanism underlying the effect of EA on AD. Results EA treatment significantly improved the cognition of APP/PS1 mice and the glucose uptake rate in the hippocampus. Furthermore, EA inhibited the phosphorylation of Tau (Ser199 and Ser202) proteins by inducing AKT (Ser473) and GSK3β (Ser9) phosphorylation. Conclusion These results demonstrate that EA intervention protects cognition by enhancing glucose metabolism and inhibiting abnormal phosphorylation of Tau protein in the AD model mice, and the AKT/GSK3β pathway might play an irreplaceable role in the regulation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anping Xu
- School of Acupuncture-moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qingtao Zeng
- Information Engineering Institute, Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, Beijing, China
| | - Yinshan Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation and Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaochen Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Microcirculation, Ministry of Health, Institute of Microcirculation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - You Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation and 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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