Acupuncture protects against ischemic stroke by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway
Cerebral ischemia is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture on rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and elucidate the underlying mechanisms involving the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway and the...
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | IBRO Neuroscience Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667242125000326 |
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| author | Linlin Wang Lanrong Chen Jiayong Wu Chengyan Liu Caixia Chi Shicong Wang |
| author_facet | Linlin Wang Lanrong Chen Jiayong Wu Chengyan Liu Caixia Chi Shicong Wang |
| author_sort | Linlin Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cerebral ischemia is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture on rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and elucidate the underlying mechanisms involving the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway and the NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Acupuncture at specific acupoints, i.e., GV26, GV20, and ST36, was administered to MCAO rats. Infarct volume was measured by TTC (2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride solution) staining. Protein expression levels of NF-κB pathway components and inflammatory markers were determined by western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling and hematoxylin-eosin staining were performed to evaluate apoptosis and histopathologic changes. Acupuncture significantly improved neurological function and reduced infarct volume in MCAO rats, as evidenced by decreased TTC staining areas. Meanwhile, acupuncture reduced NF-κB pathway, NLRP3 inflammasome and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Compared with the MCAO group, apoptotic cells were significantly reduced in the acupuncture group, which attenuated the histopathological changes induced by cerebral ischemia, including neuronal cell damage and tissue disorganization. However, application of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate partially reversed the beneficial effects of acupuncture, suggesting that the NF-κB pathway plays a key role in mediating the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture. Acupuncture exerts significant neuroprotective effects in MCAO rats, possibly through inhibition of the NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms of acupuncture in the treatment of ischemic stroke and support its potential therapeutic application. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3960cd2c5bd34daea11fa005c3f5d4b7 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2667-2421 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | IBRO Neuroscience Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-3960cd2c5bd34daea11fa005c3f5d4b72025-08-20T02:39:40ZengElsevierIBRO Neuroscience Reports2667-24212025-06-011837037710.1016/j.ibneur.2025.02.014Acupuncture protects against ischemic stroke by inhibiting the NF-κB pathwayLinlin Wang0Lanrong Chen1Jiayong Wu2Chengyan Liu3Caixia Chi4Shicong Wang5Department of Encephalopathy Rehabilitation III, Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.13, Hudong Branch Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, China; Corresponding authors.Department of Encephalopathy Rehabilitation III, Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.13, Hudong Branch Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, ChinaDepartment of Encephalopathy Rehabilitation III, Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.13, Hudong Branch Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, ChinaDepartment of Encephalopathy Rehabilitation III, Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.13, Hudong Branch Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, ChinaDepartment of Encephalopathy Rehabilitation III, Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.13, Hudong Branch Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, ChinaDepartment of Outpatient, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 282 Wusi Road, Fuzhou, Fujian 350000, China; Corresponding authors.Cerebral ischemia is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture on rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and elucidate the underlying mechanisms involving the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway and the NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Acupuncture at specific acupoints, i.e., GV26, GV20, and ST36, was administered to MCAO rats. Infarct volume was measured by TTC (2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride solution) staining. Protein expression levels of NF-κB pathway components and inflammatory markers were determined by western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling and hematoxylin-eosin staining were performed to evaluate apoptosis and histopathologic changes. Acupuncture significantly improved neurological function and reduced infarct volume in MCAO rats, as evidenced by decreased TTC staining areas. Meanwhile, acupuncture reduced NF-κB pathway, NLRP3 inflammasome and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Compared with the MCAO group, apoptotic cells were significantly reduced in the acupuncture group, which attenuated the histopathological changes induced by cerebral ischemia, including neuronal cell damage and tissue disorganization. However, application of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate partially reversed the beneficial effects of acupuncture, suggesting that the NF-κB pathway plays a key role in mediating the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture. Acupuncture exerts significant neuroprotective effects in MCAO rats, possibly through inhibition of the NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms of acupuncture in the treatment of ischemic stroke and support its potential therapeutic application.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667242125000326AcupunctureNeuroprotectionNF-κBNLRP3MCAO |
| spellingShingle | Linlin Wang Lanrong Chen Jiayong Wu Chengyan Liu Caixia Chi Shicong Wang Acupuncture protects against ischemic stroke by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway IBRO Neuroscience Reports Acupuncture Neuroprotection NF-κB NLRP3 MCAO |
| title | Acupuncture protects against ischemic stroke by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway |
| title_full | Acupuncture protects against ischemic stroke by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway |
| title_fullStr | Acupuncture protects against ischemic stroke by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway |
| title_full_unstemmed | Acupuncture protects against ischemic stroke by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway |
| title_short | Acupuncture protects against ischemic stroke by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway |
| title_sort | acupuncture protects against ischemic stroke by inhibiting the nf κb pathway |
| topic | Acupuncture Neuroprotection NF-κB NLRP3 MCAO |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667242125000326 |
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