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. 2017 Jan 24:9:5.
doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00005. eCollection 2017.

Behavioral Changes and Hippocampus Glucose Metabolism in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice via Electro-acupuncture at Governor Vessel Acupoints

Jin Cao  1 , Yinshan Tang  2 , Yujie Li  1 , Kai Gao  3 , Xudong Shi  3 , Zhigang Li  1
Affiliations

Behavioral Changes and Hippocampus Glucose Metabolism in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice via Electro-acupuncture at Governor Vessel Acupoints

Jin Cao et al. Front Aging Neurosci. .

Abstract

Objective: Investigating the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) treatment on mice with Alzheimer's disease (AD), using Morris water maze (MWM) for spatial learning and memory behavior tests combined with micro-positron emission tomography (micro-PET) imaging for glucose metabolism in hippocampus. Methods: Thirty seven-month-old APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into AD Model group (AD group), medicine group (M group) and EA group, C57BL/6 mice were used for Normal control group (N group), n = 10 in each group. Mice in M group received donepezil intervention by gavage with dose at 0.92 mg/kg. EA was applied at Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (GV29) acupoints for 20 min then pricked at Shuigou (GV26) acupoint, while mice in N, M and AD groups were received restriction for 20 min, with all treatment administrated once a day for 15 consecutive days. After the treatment, MWM was performed to observe behavioral changes in mice, then hippocampus glucose metabolism level was tested by micro-PET imaging. Results: Compared with that of AD group, the escape latency of M and EA groups declined significantly (P < 0.01), while the proportion of the platform quadrant swimming distance in total swimming distance showed an obvious increase (P < 0.01), and EA group occupied a higher percentage than that in M group. The micro-PET imaging showed that mice in AD group performed a lower glucose metabolic rate in hippocampus compared with N group (P < 0.01). Both M and EA groups presented a significant higher injected dose compared with AD group (P < 0.01), and the uptake rate of EA group was higher than M group. Conclusion: Both donepezil and EA have therapeutic effects on AD mice. To a certain extent, EA shows a better efficacy in treatment of AD by improving the spatial learning and memory ability, while also enhancing glucose metabolism in hippocampus.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; electro-acupuncture; glucose metabolism; hippocampus; micro-PET.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Mouse acupoints location we applied in this study.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Trends of escape latency time of each group in hidden platform trial.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Comparison of ratio of the swimming distance in platform quadrant to the total of each group in probe trial. formula imageCompared with the normal control group, P < 0.01; ∗ Compared with the model group, P < 0.01.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Regions of interest (ROIs) of hippocampus were shown in red.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Glucose metabolic rate of Each Group in micro-PET imaging.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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