Effect of Electroacupuncture on Behaviours and Hippocampal Microvascular A? Deposition in 7-month-old APP/PSI Double Transgenic Mice / 上海针灸杂志

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.