Effects of electroacupuncture on motor function and related molecular mechanisms in mice with Parkinson's disease.

Objective To explore the effects of electroacupuncture on motor function in Parkinson's disease (PD) model mice and NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins in the midbrain substantia nigra (SN). Methods C57BL/6 mice were assigned to three groups according to the random number table method: control group, model group, and electroacupuncture (EA) group, 12 mice per group. The PD model was reproduced by intragastric administration of rotenone solution 10 mg/ (kg·d). EA group was administered at the three selected points, "Fengfu" (GV16), "Taichong" (LR3), and "Zusanli" (ST36), with a treatment cycle of 2 weeks. The control and model groups took the same time synchronous fixation operation for the control variable. Behavioral scores and open field tests were used to detect the exercise ability of mice in each group. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and α-synuclein (α-syn) in the midbrain SN of mice in all groups were measured with an immunohistochemistry test. NLRP3 and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1 (Caspase-1) protein expression levels in the midbrain SN of mice in the three groups were measured using Western blotting, and interleukin-1TNF-β (IL-1TNF-β) content was determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Compared to the control group, the behavioral scores of the mice in the model group were higher (P < 0.01). Compared to the model group, the behavioral scores of the mice in the EA group were lower (P < 0.01). Compared to the control group, the time ratio of the relative rest state of the mice in the model group (< 100 mm/s) increased significantly (P < 0.01), while the time ratio of the slow motion (100~200 mm/s) and time ratio of the fast motion (>200 mm/s) state decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared to the model group, the time ratio spent in the relative rest state of mice in the EA group decreased significantly (P < 0.01), while the time ratio of the slow motion state and time ratio of the fast motion state and movement rate increased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared to the control group, the TH expression level decreased in the SN in the model group (P < 0.01), while α-syn increased (P < 0.01). Compared to the model group, the TH expression level in the EA group increased (P < 0.05), while α-syn decreased (P < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the protein expressions of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in the SN of the model group increased (P < 0.01); compared to the model group, the expressions of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in the SN of the midbrain of mice decreased after EA treatment (P < 0.01). Compared to the control group, IL-1TNF-β in the SN of the mouse midbrain increased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared to the model group, IL-1TNF-β decreased in the EA group (P < 0.05). Conclusion This experiment shows that stimulation of EA in"Fengfu", "Taichong", and"Zusanli"can effectively reduce abnormal aggregation of the PD marker α-syn, increase TH expression, and enhance the motor dysfunction of PD model mice. The molecular mechanism is related to the regulation of the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and IL-1TNF-β of inflammasome-related pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]