[Effect of electroacupuncture of "Fengfu" (GV16) and "Taichong" (LR3) on EIF2α-ATF4-GRP78/Bip signaling in substantia nigra of rats with Parkinson's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on expression of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (EIF2α), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), glucose regulator protein-78 / immunoglobulin heavy-chain-binding protein (GRP78/Bip) in the substantia nigra (SN) in rats with Parkinson's disease (PD), so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of PD. METHODS: Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into control, sham-operation, model and EA groups (n=12 in each group). The PD model was established by 28-day consecutive subcutaneous injection of rotenone (1 mg/kg dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide and normal saline) at the back shoulder. EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to "Fengfu" (GV16) and "Taichong" (LR3) for 30 min, once daily for 2 weeks. The behavio-ral changes of rats in each group were measured and scored at 28th day and 44th day, respectively. The expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and α-synuclein (α-syn) in the SN were observed by immunohistochemistry, and the expressions of EIF2α, ATF4 and GRP78/Bip were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Following modeling and compared with the control and sham-operation groups, the behavioral scores of rats in the model group were elevated (P<0.01), which were significantly decreased by EA intervention (P<0.01). The expression of TH decreased whereas the α-syn, EIF2α, ATF4 and GRP78/Bip increased in the rats of model group, and EA intervention reversed these changes (all P<0.01). CONCLUSION: EA at GV16 and LR3 can improve PD rats' behavioral changes, which is probably related with its effects in up-regulating the expression of TH in the SN and down-regulating the expression of α-syn and EIF2α-ATF4-GRP78/Bip signaling.

[Electroacupuncture improved locomotor function by regulating expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and α-synuclein proteins and transcription activating factor 6 and transcription factor X box binding protein 1 mRNAs in substantia nigra of rats with Parkinson's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on behavioral changes, and expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), α-synuclein(α-syn), transcription activating factor 6 (ATF6) and transcription factor X box binding protein 1 (XBP-1) in the substantia nigra of Parkinson's disease (PD) rats, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of motor function. METHODS: Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into control, model and EA groups (n=12 rats in each group). The PD model was established by subcutaneous injection of rotenone (2 mg/kg) at the neck and back, once a day for 28 days. EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to "Fengfu" (GV16) and bilateral "Taichong" (LR3) for 20 min, once a day for 14 successive days. The voluntary motor behavioral changes (total distance, average speed, total movement time, total rest time in 8 min) were detected by open field tests. The immuno-activity of TH and α-syn in the substantia nigra was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of ATF6 mRNA and XBP-1 mRNA detected by fluorescence real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Following modeling and compared with the control group, the total distance, average speed and total movement time of voluntary movement were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the total rest time was significantly increased (P<0.01). Moreover, the expression of TH was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and that of α-syn protein, ATF6 mRNA and XBP-1 mRNA significantly increased in the model group in comparison with the control group (P<0.01). After the intervention, the total distance, average speed, and total movement time of voluntary movement in the EA group were considerably higher than those in the model group (P<0.01), and the total rest time was obviously decreased in the EA group (P<0.01). The expression level of TH was significantly increased (P<0.01), and those of α-syn, ATF6 mRNA and XBP-1 mRNA were notably decreased in the EA group compared with the model group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: EA intervention can improve the locomotor function in PD model rats, which is associated with its functions in up-regulating the expression of TH protein and down-regulating the expression of α-syn protein, and ATF6 mRNA and XBP-1 mRNA in the substantia nigra of mesencephalon.