Tongdu Tiaoshen Acupuncture Method for Promoting Hippocampal Nerve Repair and Regeneration and Improving Learning and Memory Dysfunction in Stroke Model Rats

[Objectives]To evaluate the effects of Tongdu Tiaoshen Acupuncture method on improving learning and memory function and hippocampal nerve regeneration and repair after stroke.[Methods]Animal models of cognitive impairment in the recovery phase of cerebral infarction in rats were prepared,and rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,donepezil group,and acupuncture group.Morris water maze experiment was carried out to evaluate learning and memory ability.Nissl staining,BrdU and DCX immunofluorescence staining were used to observe the number and morphological structure of neuronal pyramidal and granular cells in the dentate gyrus(DG)area of the hippocampus,as well as the proliferation and differentiation of neural progenitor cells.TUNEL method was used to detect cell apoptosis.[Results]Before intervention,the scores and ELP of the model group,donepezil group and acupuncture group were significantly higher than those of the blank group(P<0.05);after the intervention,the neurological scores and ELP of the blank group and the model group were not significantly different from those before the intervention(P<0.05);the donepezil group and acupuncture group were significantly reduced,there was no difference between the donepezil group and acupuncture group(P>0.05),but it was still significantly higher than the blank group(P<0.05).The results of BrdU and DCX immunofluorescence staining showed that there were only a few BrdU positive cells and DCX protein in the hippocampal DG area of mice in the blank group,and the positive cells in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.05);donepezil group and acupuncture group showed significant increase compared with the model group(P<0.05);compared with the blank group,the number of neurons in the hippocampal DG area of each group was significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the neuronal apoptosis index was significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with the blank group,the number of neurons in the hippocampal DG area of each group was significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the neuronal apoptosis index was significantly increased(P<0.01).The number of neurons in the hippocampal DG area of rats in the acupuncture group and donepezil group was significantly increased(P<0.01),and the neuronal apoptosis index was significantly decreased(P<0.01).[Conclusions]Tongdu Tiaoshen Acupuncture method can improve the learning and memory function of stroke model rats by promoting the regeneration and repair of hippocampal nerve in rats with cerebral infarction.

Maternal Lead Exposure Induces Down-regulation of Hippocampal Insulin-degrading Enzyme and Nerve Growth Factor Expression in Mouse Pups

Lead exposure is a known potential risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease （AD）. Exposure to lead during the critical phase of brain development has been linked with mental retardation and hypophrenia in later life.

GIT1 enhances neurite outgrowth by stimulating microtubule assembly

GIT1,a G-protein-coupled receptor kinase interacting protein,has been reported to be involved in neurite outgrowth.However,the neurobiological functions of the protein remain unclear.In this study,we found that GIT1 was highly expressed in the nervous system,and its expression was maintained throughout all stages of neuritogenesis in the brain.In primary cultured mouse hippocampal neurons from GIT1 knockout mice,there was a significant reduction in total neurite length per neuron,as well as in the average length of axon-like structures,which could not be prevented by nerve growth factor treatment.Overexpression of GIT1 significantly promoted axon growth and fully rescued the axon outgrowth defect in the primary hippocampal neuron cultures from GIT1 knockout mice.The GIT1 N terminal region,including the ADP ribosylation factor-GTPase activating protein domain,the ankyrin domains and the Spa2 homology domain,were sufficient to enhance axonal extension.Importantly,GIT1 bound to many tubulin proteins and microtubule-associated proteins,and it accelerated microtubule assembly in vitro.Collectively,our findings suggest that GIT1 promotes neurite outgrowth,at least partially by stimulating microtubule assembly.This study provides new insight into the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of GIT1-associated neurological diseases.