Title:Regulatory Effect of Electroacupuncture on Hypothalamic Serotonin and
its Receptor in Rats with Cerebral Ischemia
Volume: 20
Issue: 2
Author(s): Tongjun Ma, Chenyu Li, Zeyin Nie, Huachun Miao and Feng Wu*
Affiliation:
- Department of Human Anatomy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, 241002, China
Keywords:
Ischemic brain injury, hypothalamus, EA, 5-HT, 5-HTT, 5-HT2A.
Abstract:
Background: Previous studies have shown that the neurological damage caused by
middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) is not only limited to local infarction but can also cause
secondary damage in distant sites, such as the hypothalamus. 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)/ 5-HT
transporter (5-HTT) and 5-HT receptor 2A (5-HT2A) are important in the treatment of cerebrovascular
diseases.
Objective: This study aimed to study the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of 5-
HT, 5-HTT, and 5-HT2A in the hypothalamus of rats with ischemic brain injury and to explore the
protective effect and potential mechanism of EA on the secondary injury of cerebral ischemia.
Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham group, model
group, and EA group. The permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) method was used
to induce ischemic stroke in rats. In the EA group, the Baihui (GV20) and Zusanli (ST36) points
were selected for treatment, which was administered once per day for two consecutive weeks. The
neuroprotective effect of EA was evaluated by nerve defect function scores and Nissl staining. The
content of 5-HT in hypothalamus was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),
and the expression of 5-HTT and 5-HT2A were detected by Western blot.
Results: Compared with that in the sham group, the nerve defect function score in the model group
rats was significantly increased, the hypothalamus tissue showed obvious nerve damage, the levels
of 5-HT and the expression of 5-HTT were significantly reduced, and the expression of 5-HT2A
was significantly increased. After 2 weeks of EA treatment, the nerve defect function scores of
pMCAO rats were significantly reduced, the hypothalamic nerve injury was significantly reduced,
the levels of 5-HT and the expression of 5-HTT were significantly increased, and the expression of
5-HT2A was significantly decreased.
Conclusion: EA has a certain therapeutic effect on hypothalamic injury secondary to permanent
cerebral ischemia, and its potential mechanism may be closely related to the upregulation of 5-HT
and 5-HTT expression and the downregulation of 5-HT2A expression.
