Influence On Formation Of Senile Plaques In Brain By Electro-acupuncture In Alzheimer’s Disease Modle Mice And Research About The Mechanism

Objective: To observe the effect on the expression of senile plaques(SP)and its related proteins in brain of APP / PS1 double transgenic Alzheimer’s disease(AD)model mice byElectro-acupuncture(EA),so as to discuss its possible mechanisms underlying improvement of AD.Methods: APP/PS1 double transgenic male AD model mice(3-month-old)were randomly divided into three groups: model group,2 periods of electro-acupuncture treatment group and 3 periods of electro-acupuncture treatment group;the control group was consisted of themale wild type mice(3-month-old),six mice in each group.EA(2Hz,2mA)was applied to “Baihui”(DU 20)and “Shenshu”(BL 23)acupoints of the treatment groups for 15 min,once a day,with 7 days being a therapeutic course,2 or 3 courses altogether and with an one day’s interval between every two courses.Behavioral testwas conducted to observe the memory and spatial exploration ability of each group of mice.The expression of SP in brain was detected by immunohistochemistry,and the expressions of β-amyloid precursor protein(APP),β-site APP cleavage(BACE1)and insulin degrading enzyme(IDE)in brain were analyzed by Western and Blot.Results: Behavioral test showed that,the escape latency and the search path were significantly longer(P <0.01,P <0.05),the number of crossing platforms was significantly lower(P<0.01)in the model group compared with the control group;after EA intervention,the escape latency on the 5th day of training,and the search path on the 4th and 5th day of training in the two treatment groups were prominentlyshortened compared with model group(P<0.01),the number of crossing platforms were markedlyincreased(P<0.01);compared with 2 periods of electro-acupuncture treatment group,the escape latency and the search path of the 3 periods of electro-acupuncture treatment group were also significantly shortened(P<0.05,P <0.01),the number of crossing platforms was also prominently increased(P <0.05).There was no SP in the brain of the control group;compare to the control group,the number of SP in the model group was significantly increased(P<0.0001);compared with the model group,theSP in the treatment groups were significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with the 2 periods of electro-acupuncture treatment group,the 3 periods of electro-acupuncture treatment group was also dramatically decreased(P<0.01).The results of Western and Blot showed that,compare to the control group,the model group had more contents with APP、BACE1(P<0.001),and less contents with IDE(P<0.001);however,compare to the model group,the treatment group had less contents with APP、BACE1(P<0.05),and more contents with IDE(P<0.05);compare to the 2 periods of electro-acupuncture treatment group,the 3 periods of electro-acupuncture treatment group had less contents with APP、BACE1(P<0.05,P<0.05),and more contents with IDE(P<0.05).Conclusion: The Electro-acupuncture can reduce the expression of APP and BACE1 in the brain of AD model mice,increase the expression of IDE,thereby reduce the deposition of SP,improve the ability of learning,memory and spatial exploration.