Electroacupuncture at the Quchi and Zusanli acupoints exerts neuroprotective role in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injured rats via activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway

Chen,Azhen; Lin,Zhicheng; Lan,Lan; Xie,Guanli; Huang,Jia; Lin,Jiumao; Peng,Jun; Tao,Jing; Chen,Lidian

doi:10.3892/ijmm.2012.1074

October 2012 Volume 30 Issue 4

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October 2012 Volume 30 Issue 4

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Article

Electroacupuncture at the Quchi and Zusanli acupoints exerts neuroprotective role in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injured rats via activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway

Authors:
- Azhen Chen
- Zhicheng Lin
- Lan Lan
- Guanli Xie
- Jia Huang
- Jiumao Lin
- Jun Peng
- Jing Tao
- Lidian Chen
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Affiliations: College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China, MOE Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Osteology and Traumatology and Exercise Rehabilitation, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China, Fujian Key Laboratory of Exercise Rehabilitation, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China, Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, P.R. China
Pages: 791-796
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Published online on: July 24, 2012

https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2012.1074
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Abstract

The PI3K/Akt pathway, a critical mediator of cell survival, is suppressed in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury; therefore, it is a major focus in treatment of ischemic stroke. Acupuncture has long been used in China to clinically treat stroke. However, the precise mechanism of its neuroprotective activities remains largely unknown. Using a focal cerebral I/R injured rat model, in the present study we evaluated the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of electroacupuncture and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints on the contralateral paralyzed limb significantly improved neurological deficits and cerebral infarction. In addition, electroacupuncture profoundly activated PI3K/Akt signaling in ischemic cerebral tissues. Consequently, the upregulatory effect of electroacupuncture on PI3K/Akt activation resulted in the inhibition of cerebral cell apoptosis. Moreover, electroacupuncture increased the serum secretion levels of the PI3K activators BDNF and GDNF, as well as upregulated the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2/Bax ratio in ischemic cerebrum. Our data suggest that electroacupuncture at Quchi and Zusanli acupoints exerts neuroprotective function in ischemic stroke via activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

Electroacupuncture at the Quchi and Zusanli acupoints exerts neuroprotective role in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injured rats via activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway

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