Regulation of ERK/CREB/BDNF Pathway in Parkinson's Disease Model Mice by Electroacupuncture Treatment
Objective:To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at Fengfu(GV16)and Taichong(LR3)acupoints on tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)expression and the ERK/CREB/BDNF pathway in mice with Parkinson's disease(PD),and explore the potential mechanisms of electroacupuncture treatment for PD.Methods:Forty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal,model,electroacupuncture,and levodopa groups(n=10/group).The PD model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of MPTP for 7 days.In the electroacupuncture group,GV16 and LR3 were stimulated 1 hour after MPTP injection,once daily for 12 consecutive days.The normal and model groups received handling and fixation for the same duration.The levodopa group received oral levodopa at 25 mg/mL.Behavioral changes were observed in each group.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect TH-positive expression in the substantia nigra.Western blot and fluorescence quantitative PCR were employed to measure the protein and mRNA expression levels of target factors in the substantia nigra,respectively.Results:Following modeling,compared with the normal group,the model group exhibited behavioral abnormalities with increased behavioral scores(P<0.01),decreased TH-positive expression in the substantia nigra(P<0.01),and downregulated mRNA(P<0.01,P<0.05)and protein expression(P<0.01)of ERK1/2,CREB,and BDNF in the substantia nigra.After treatment,compared with the model group,both the electroacupuncture and levodopa groups showed improved behavioral scores(P<0.05,P<0.01),increased TH-positive expression in the substantia nigra(P<0.05),and upregulated mRNA(P<0.01,P<0.05)and protein expression(P<0.01,P<0.05)of ERK1/2,CREB,and BDNF in the substantia nigra.Conclusion:Electroacupuncture at GV16 and LR3 acupoints can enhance TH expression and modulate the ERK/CREB/BDNF pathway in the substantia nigra of PD mice,thereby improving motor dysfunction in PD mice.
万方数据
维普
