ABSTRACT
Objective To explore one mechanism of therapeutic action of electroacupuncture on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), that is, improving the way to eliminate cerebral microvascular Ab by investigating the effect of electroacupuncture on hippocampal microvascular Ab deposition and learning and memory abilities in APP/PSI double transgenic mice. Method Twenty-four 7-month-old male APP/PSI double transgenic mice were randomized into model and electroacupuncture groups, 12 mice each. Same sex transgene-negative littermate mice (12 mice) constituted a blank control group. The electroacupuncture group received electric acupuncture at points Baihui (GV20) and Yongquan (KI1), 15 min once every other day, for a total of six weeks. After treatment, mouse learning and memory abilities were tested using the Morris water maze. The expressions of Ab 1-40 and Ab 1-42 in the hippocampal microvascular wall and senile plaque were determined by immunohistochemical method. Hippocampal microvascular Ab-positive expression was semi-quantitatively analyzed using the Imagine Pro Plus software. Result The Morris water maze test showed that escape latency lengthened (P<0.05), and the number of crossing platform and swimming time in the platform quadrant decreased (P<0.05) in the model group compared with the blank control group. Escape latency shortened (P<0.05), and the number of crossing platform and swimming time in the platform quadrant increased (P<0.05) in the electroacupuncture group compared with the model group. The immunohistochemical results showed that hippocampal microvascular Ab 1-42 and Ab 1-40 integral optical densities were higher in the model group than in the blank control group (P<0.05) and senile plaques appeared in the hippocampus. Hippocampal microvascular Ab 1-42 and Ab 1-40 integral optical densities were lower in the in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture reduces mouse learning and memory impairments and hippocampal microvascular Ab deposition. Its mechanism may be that electroacupuncture improves the way of eliminating cerebral microvascular Ab to decrease cerebral Ab deposition.
ABSTRACT
Ganglionic and cortical arteries and arterioles in 15 aging Sprague-Dowley rats were histochemically examined to evaluate their metabolic profiles using bright-field microscopy semiquantitatively. Lactate dehydrogenase showed significant reactivity which increased with vessel diameter in cortical and ganglionic vessels in all groups examined. Suceinate dehydrogenase showed trace to moderate reactivity in both cortical and ganglionic vessels. Glucose-6-phosphate dchydrogenase showed zero to trace reactivity in cortical and ganglionic vessels, suggesting less synthetic capacity of nuclear acids and proteins. Myosin ATPase showed strong to very strong reactivity which decreased slightly with vessel diameter in all groups tested, indicating high rate of utilizing ATP in smooth muscle. Little difference of enzyme reactivity was found among cortical and ganglionic vessels and vessels from different parts of caudatoputamcn. In conclusion, both cortical and ganglionic vessels are metabolically active, with significant anaerobic glycolysis, but with decrease in capacity observable for aerobic metabolism.