针刺对阿尔茨海默大鼠学习记忆功能影响的机制探究

Mechanism Research of Acupuncture's Impact on Learning and Memory Functions in AD Rats

目的:观察醒脑开窍针法对阿尔茨海默病(AD)大鼠学习记忆功能、低氧诱导因子(HIF-1α)表达及海马神经细胞凋亡的影响。方法:通过颅内注射链尿佐菌素(STZ)复制AD大鼠模型,造模成功后以醒脑开窍针法为干预手法连续治疗21 d,通过Morris水迷宫,以定位航行实验逃避潜伏期以及空间探索实验跨越平台次数、靶象限停留时间为评价指标评价针刺干预后AD大鼠学习记忆功能恢复情况,通过Western blot检测AD大鼠海马组织HIF-1α蛋白表达,通过TUNEL检测海马区凋亡神经细胞。结果:针刺组逃避潜伏期较模型组明显缩短,在第5天与模型组比较,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);针刺组跨越平台次数较模型组明显增多,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01);靶象限停留时间针刺组也较模型组明显延长,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01);针刺组海马组织HIF-1α蛋白表达较模型组明显升高,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.001);针刺组海马组织凋亡神经细胞数较模型组明显减少,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:醒脑开窍针法可改善AD大鼠学习记忆功能,这可能与其上调AD大鼠海马组织HIF-1α蛋白表达、继而抑制海马区神经细胞凋亡有关。

Objective:To observe the effects of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture method on learning and memory functions,HIF-1αprotein expression and apoptotic neurons of hippocampal area in the model rats with Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods:After establishing the AD rat model through intracranial injection of STZ,the intervention method of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture was applied continuously for 21 days.The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the recovery of learning and memory function in AD rats after acupuncture intervention.Evaluation indicators included escape latency in the place navigation test,the number of platform crossings in the spatial probe test,and the time spent in the target quadrant.Western blot was used to detect the expression of HIF-1αprotein in the hippocampal tissue of AD rats.While the TUNEL assay was employed to detect apoptotic neurons in the hippocampal area.Results:Compared with that in the model group,the escape latency was significantly shortened at day 5 in the acupuncture group,which showed statistical significance(P<0.05);the number of platform crossings and the time spent in the target quadrant were increased in the acupuncture group,which showed statistical significance(P<0.01).The HIF-1αprotein expression of hippocampal area was significantly increased in the acupuncture group compared with that in the model group(P<0.001).The apoptotic neurons in the hippocampal area were significantly decreased compared with those in the model group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture can improve the learning and memory functions of the AD rats,which may be related to the up-regulation of HIF-1αexpression in the hippocampal tissue of the AD rats,and subsequently decreasing apoptotic neurons in the hippocampal area.