Effects Of Acupuncture On Peripheral Serum Expression Of SOD, MDA, MiRNA-126 And VEGF In Rats With Cerebral Ischemia Reperfusion Injury

ObjectiveThis study was based on the previous research, the cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI) model rats were made by suture-occluded method. To explore the effects of acupuncture at "Baihui" (GV20) and "Zusanli" (ST36) on the peripheral serum expression of SOD and MDA related to oxidative stress, and on the expression of miRNA-126 and VEGF related to vasculargenesis in rats with CIRI.MethodsHealthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized intoa sham-operated group (S), a model group (M), an acupuncture group (A), and an edaravone group (ED) using a random digits table. Each group was further randomly divided into Id,3d,5d, and 7d four subgroups based on the reperfusion times according to a random digits table. In the group (M) and the group (A), CIRI was induced usingthe thread occlusion method. Electroacupuncture stimulation was applied daily to GV20 and left ST36 for 20 min, at the indicated time points after successful operations. Edaravone was given at the indicated time points after successful operations once a day. TTC staining was used for testing model. Serum was sampled for detectingVEGF protein via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, serum SOD activity was examined using Xanthine oxidase method, serum MDA content was evaluated by TBA method, and serum miRNA-126 was examined using quantitative PCR.Results1.TTC staining showed that there was non-infarction change in the group (S), which brain tissue presented in red colour, while in the group (M) the colour in the area of infarction core was in white colour compared with the common red brain tissue.2. The serum level of SOD in the CIRI rats decreased significantly, and the minimum expression of SOD in both the group (M) and the group (A) occurred at 3d. Except the time point of Id in group (A), the expression of SOD in the group (A) and the group (ED)was higher than in the group (M) (P<0.05), and the level of SOD in the group (ED) was significantly higher than in the group (A) (P<0.05).3. MDAexpression in serum from the cerebral ischemia group was higher than that in thein group (S). Compared with the group (M), the level of MDA in the serum of the group (A) and the group (ED) was significantly lower at each time point (P<0.05), and the level of MDA in the group (ED) was significantly lower than in the group (A) (P<0.05).4. The serum level of miRNA-126 in the CIRI rats increased significantly, and the peak expression of miRNA-126 in both the group (M) and the group (A) occurred at 3d. The expression of miRNA-126 in the group (A) and the group (ED) was lower than in the group (M) at the same time point (P<0.05), and The expression of miRNA-126 in group (A) was higher than group (ED) for the time points of 3 d,5 d, and 7 d (P<0.05).5. The serum level of VEGF in the CIRI rats increased significantly, and the peak expression of VEGF in both the group (M) and the group (A) occurred at 3d. The expression of VEGF in the group (A) and the group (ED) was lower than in the group (M) at the same time point (P<0.05), and the level of VEGF in the group (ED) was significantly lower than in the group (A)(P<0.05).Conclusion1.Acupuncture at GV20 and ST36 in rats alleviated CIRI and was associated with upregulated expression of SOD and with downregulated expression of MDA in peripheral serum.2. Acupuncture at GV20 and ST36 in rats alleviated CIRI and was associated with downregulated expression of miRNA-126 and VEGF in peripheral serum. These changes may representone of the mechanisms underlying acupuncture’s attenuation of CIRI.3. Our research confirmed that the rats undergoing acupuncture therapy had the better effect of alleviating CIRI compared with the ones in the group (M), while the group (ED) had the best treatment outcomes. However, acupuncture therapy had the advantage of easy operating, cost-effective, and safe without toxic side-effect.Innovation:CIRI model was established by using right middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion. Id,3d,5d, and 7d four time points were chose according to the reperfusion time. Detecting the role of acupuncture at GV20 and ST36 in the expression of the SOD and MDA relatedto oxidative stress, as well as the miRNA-126 and VEGF related to neurogenesis in peripheral serum of rats subjected to cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury. The results showed that acupuncture at GV20 and ST36 had the protective effects on CIRI rats. Acupuncture at GV20 and ST36 on the serum expression of miRNA-126 and VEGF in CIRI rats have not been reported home and abroad.