Based On Notch Signaling Pathway To Explore Mechanism For Neuroprotection Against Cerebral Ischemia Of Electropuncture

Notch signaling pathway,a critical mediator of stem cells proliferation and differentiation, can be activated in brain ischemia.Therefore,it is a promising target to stimulate endogenous repair and regeneration of damaged brain tissue after ischemic stroke. Acupuncture plays an important role in the treatment and improve the prognosis of ischemic stroke,and has been widely applied in clinical rehabilitation.However,the precise mechanism of its neuroprotective effect remains poorly understood.In the present study,we evaluated the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of electroacupuncture and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms by using a focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury rat model. We found that electroacupuncture at Quchi(LI11)and Zusanli(ST36)acupoints on the paralyzed limb significantly ameliorated neurological deficits,decreased cerebral infarction, improved the cerebral cell injury and behavioral activity of limb, regulated neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferation and differentiation after brain ischemia.In addition,electroacupuncture significantly increased the protein expression levels of Notchl,as well as NICD and Hesl.Consequently, electroacupuncture mediated activation of the Notch pathway resulted in the stimulation of cerebral cell proliferation and differentiation.Our data suggest that electroacupuncture at Quchi and Zusanli acupoints exerts neuroprotective function in ischemic stroke via activation of Notch signaling pathway.