Study of the Mechanism of Du Meridian-unblocking and Mind-regulating Acupuncture Pretreatment for Modu- lating miRNA664 and MMP9 in Cerebral Ischemia/reperfusion Rats / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of meridian-unblocking and mind-regulating acupuncture pretreatment on neurobehavioral functions and cerebral water content and explore its mechanism for modulating miRNA664 and MMP9 expressions in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion rats.Methods One hundred and thirty Wistar rats were randomized into group A (electroacupuncture pretreatment) of 30 rats, group B (moxibustion pretreatment) of 30 rats, group C (aspirin pretreatment) of 30 rats, group D (model) of 30 rats and group E (blank control) of 10 rats. Group A received electroacupuncture; group B, suspended moxibustion with moxa sticks; group C, an oral gavage of aspirin 10 mg/kg. A model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion was made in every group after seven days. Rat neurobehavioral functions were observed and cerebral water content and relative miRNA664 and MMP9 expressions in the cortical region were determined at 24 hours after reperfusion.Results There was a statistically significant difference in the neurobehavioral score between group A, B, C or D and group E (P<0.01), between group A or B and group C (P<0.01) and between groups A and B (P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in cerebral water content and relative miRNA664 and MMP9 expressions between group A, B, C or D and group E (P<0.01,P<0.05), between group A, B or C and group D (P<0.01), between group A or B and group C (P<0.01,P<0.05) and between groups A and B (P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusions Meridian-unblocking and mind-regulating acupuncture pretreatment can effectively decrease the neurobehavioral score and cerebral water content and reduce relative MMP9 expression through modulating miRNA664 expression in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion rats. One of the mechanisms of Du meridian-unblocking and mind-regulating acupuncture pretreatment for protecting the brain may be reducing relative MMP9 expression, inducing tolerance to cerebral ischemia and relieving cerebral edema by the modulation of miRNA664 expression.