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. 2014:2014:937601.
doi: 10.1155/2014/937601. Epub 2014 Aug 5.

Laser Acupuncture at HT7 Acupoint Improves Cognitive Deficit, Neuronal Loss, Oxidative Stress, and Functions of Cholinergic and Dopaminergic Systems in Animal Model of Parkinson's Disease

Jintanaporn Wattanathorn  1 , Chatchada Sutalangka  2
Affiliations

Laser Acupuncture at HT7 Acupoint Improves Cognitive Deficit, Neuronal Loss, Oxidative Stress, and Functions of Cholinergic and Dopaminergic Systems in Animal Model of Parkinson's Disease

Jintanaporn Wattanathorn et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014.

Abstract

To date, the therapeutic strategy against cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD) is still not in satisfaction level and requires novel effective intervention. Based the oxidative stress reduction and cognitive enhancement induced by laser acupuncture at HT7, the beneficial effect of laser acupuncture at HT7 against cognitive impairment in PD has been focused. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of laser acupuncture at HT7 on memory impairment, oxidative stress status, and the functions of both cholinergic and dopaminergic systems in hippocampus of animal model of PD. Male Wistar rats, weighing 180-220 g, were induced unilateral lesion at right substantianigra by 6-OHDA and were treated with laser acupuncture continuously at a period of 14 days. The results showed that laser acupuncture at HT7 enhanced memory and neuron density in CA3 and dentate gyrus. The decreased AChE, MAO-B, and MDA together with increased GSH-Px in hippocampus of a 6-OHDA lesion rats were also observed. In conclusion, laser acupuncture at HT7 can improve neuron degeneration and memory impairment in animal model of PD partly via the decreased oxidative stress and the improved cholinergic and dopaminergic functions. More researches concerning effect of treatment duration are still required.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effect of laser acupuncture on spatial memory using the Morris water maze test in Parkinson's disease rats (a) escape latency and (b) retention time. Values given are the mean ± S.D. (n = 6) ***P < 0.001 as compared with control group and # P < 0.05, ### P < 0.001 as compared with sham laser acupuncture group.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effect of laser acupuncture on the neurons density in various subregions of hippocampus after treatments. Values given are the mean ± S.D. (n = 6) ***P < 0.001 as compared with control group and # P < 0.05 as compared with sham laser acupuncture group.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Photographic image of neurons with cresyl violet stained in various subregions of hippocampus. (a) CA1, (b) CA2, (c) CA3, and (d) dentate gyrus.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effect of laser acupuncture on the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the hippocampus. Values given are the mean ± S.D. (n = 6) ***P < 0.001 as compared with control group and # P < 0.05 as compared with sham laser acupuncture group.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Effect of laser acupuncture on the activity of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) in the hippocampus. Values given are the mean ± S.D. (n = 6) **P < 0.01 as compared with control group and # P < 0.05 as compared with sham laser acupuncture group.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Schematic diagram illustrates the possible underlying mechanism of laser acupuncture at HT7 acupoint.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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