Title:Electroacupuncture Inhibits Ferroptosis Induced by Cerebral Ischemiareperfusion
Volume: 20
Issue: 3
Author(s): Gui-Ling Wang, Shu-Ying Xu, He-Qun Lv, Chao Zhang and Yong-Jun Peng*
Affiliation:
- Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing,
210029, Jiangsu Province, China
Keywords:
Electroacupuncture, ferroptosis, cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, mitochondria, programmed cell death, MCAO rats.
Abstract:
Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) treatment has been recommended by World
Health Organization (WHO) for years on cerebral ischemia treatment, but the specific mechanism
is still elusive. Studies have shown that EA can relieve brain damage after ischemic stroke by inhibiting
programmed cell death (PCD), such as apoptosis, necroptosis, and autophagy. Ferroptosis,
a unique form of cell death, has been highlighted recently and found to occur in I/R injury. We,
therefore, investigated whether EA plays an essential role in relieving cerebral I/R injury via ferroptosis.
Methods: The modified MCAO/R rats model was established and then divided into four groups
with or without EA treatment. Neurological deficit score and TTC staining were used to evaluate
the neurological deficit and infarct volume of each group. Transmission electron microscope
(TEM) and immunofluorescence staining were applied for mitochondrial ultrastructure and ROS
accumulation observation, respectively. The proteins and mRNA expression of ACSL4, TFR1, and
GPX4 were assessed by western blot and qPCR to detect the progress of ferroptosis.
Results: EA treatment improved neurological deficits and reduced infarct volume. Moreover, EA
significantly relieved the mitochondrial morphological changes and inhibited ROS Production in
MCAO rats. In terms of its mechanism, EA obviously decreased the ACSL4 and TFR1 expressions
and promoted GPX4 levels in MCAO/R model rats.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that EA might play an essential role in relieving cerebral I/R
injury via ferroptosis.