Acupuncture attenuates cognitive deficits through α7nAChR mediated anti-inflammatory pathway in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rats.

Abstract

AIMS:

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) elicits inflammatory response, which contributes to the pathology of cognitive impairment. Several studies demonstrate that the alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) can be a key component to modulate the inflammatory responses. We have reported previously that acupuncture attenuated cognitive deficits induced by CCH. In present study, whether effect of acupuncture was related to α7nAChR mediated anti-inflammatory pathway in CCH rats was further explored.

MAIN METHODS:

Acupuncture was performed in CCH rats induced by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion. Neuronal injury, the activation of microglia, the release of inflammatory cytokines, the expression of α7nAChR, and the activation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways were detected. Cognitive function and central inflammation were evaluated after the intraperitoneal injection of an α7nAChR agonist PNU282987, or intracerebroventricular injection of an α7nAChR antagonist α-bungarotoxin (α-BGT).

KEY FINDINGS:

We found that there were neuronal damage and inflammation, accompanied with the decreased expressions of α7nAChR in the hippocampus under CCH condition. Acupuncture inhibited neuronal damage, activation of microglia, and inflammatory cytokines. The expressions of α7nAChR, together with its downstream JAK2/STAT3 pathways were up regulated by acupuncture. PNU282987 mimicked the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects as well as the cognitive improvements of acupuncture. Meanwhile, the benefit effects of acupuncture above were blocked by α-BGT.

SIGNIFICANCE:

It was demonstrated that acupuncture promoted cognitive function and afforded neuroprotective effects against inflammation via activation of α7nAChR and its downstream JAK2-STAT3 pathway in CCH rats. It provides a new insight for acupuncture as an anti-inflammatory intervention for cognitive impairment.

• Authors: Yan Cao, Lu Wang, Li-Ting Lin, Xue-Rui Wang, Si-Ming Ma, Na-Na Yang, Hao Fan, Marc Fisher, Jing-Wen Yang
• Journal: Life sciences (Life Sci) Vol. 266 Pg. 118732 (Feb 01 2021) ISSN: 1879-0631 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 33160996 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Chemical References

• Neuroprotective Agents
• alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

Topics

• Acupuncture Therapy (methods)
• Animals
• Brain Ischemia (complications)
• Cerebrovascular Circulation
• Chronic Disease
• Cognitive Dysfunction (etiology, metabolism, pathology, therapy)
• Inflammation (etiology, metabolism, pathology, prevention & control)
• Male
• Neuroprotective Agents
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Signal Transduction
• alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor (metabolism)