Effect of Electroacupuncture on BiP and CHOP Expressions in the Substantia Nigra in a Rat Model of Parkinson Disease / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on the expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins in the substantia nigra in a rat model of rotenone-induced Parkinson disease.Methods One hundred and twenty healthy male SD rats were randomized to normal, sham operation, model, electroacupuncture pretreatment, and 7-day, 14-day, 21-day and 28-day electroacupuncture treatment groups, 15 rats each. A model of Parkinson disease was made by subcutaneous injection of rotenone in the nape. The sham operation group received an injection of equal volume of sunflower oil emulsion. The normal, sham operation and model groups were not treated. The electroacupuncture treatment group received electroacupuncture at points Fengfu (GV 16)and Taichong (LR 3) after model making. The electroacupuncture pretreatment group received model making after 7 days of electroacupuncture treatment. TH and α-syn positive cells expressions in rat substantia nigra were determined by immunohistochemical method. BiP and CHOP expressions in rat substantia nigra were examined by Western blotting. Results The model group rats had obvious syndrome characteristic of PD and rat behavior score decreased significantly after electroacupuncture intervention (P<0.01).α-syn positive cells expression and BiP and CHOP expressions in rat substantia nigra increased significantly and TH positive cells expression in rat substantia nigra decreased significantly in the model group compare with the normal and sham operation groups (P<0.01).α-syn positive cells expression and BiP and CHOP expressions in rat substantia nigra decreased significantly and TH positive cells expression in rat substantia nigra increased significantly in every electroacupuncture treatment group compare with the model group (P<0.01).Conclusions The mechanism of electroacupuncture prevention and treatment of Parkinson disease may be related to its significant inhibition of the expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins and protection of dopaminergic neurons.