Electroacupuncture improves cognitive function in a rat model of mild traumatic brain injury by regulating the SIRT-1/PGC-1α/mitochondrial pathway.

BACKGROUND: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common neurological trauma that can lead to cognitive impairment. The sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) pathway has been reported to have neuroprotective effects in rats with craniocerebral injury. We evaluated potential mechanisms underlying electroacupuncture-mediated recovery of cognitive function after mTBI, focusing on the SIRT-1/PGC-1α/mitochondrial pathway. METHODS: We included forty 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats in this study. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: controlled cortical impactor (CCI, n = 10), sham operation (sham, n = 10), electroacupuncture-treated CCI (CCI+EA, n = 10), and electroacupuncture-treated sham (sham+EA, n = 10) group. Randomization was performed by assigning a random number to each rat and using a random number table. The mTBI rat model was established using a controllable cortical impactor. Electroacupuncture therapy was performed on the back of rats, by inserting acupuncture needles to the specific acupoints and setting appropriate parameters for treatment. We evaluated spatial learning and memory functions with the Morris water maze test. We performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blotting, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) determination, and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I (MRCC I) determination on rat hippocampal tissue. We analyzed SIRT-1/PGC-1α expression levels and the results of mitochondrial function assays, and compared differences between groups using bilateral Student's t -tests. RESULTS: Compared with the sham group, SIRT-1/PGC-1α expression was downregulated in the hippocampus of CCI group ( P <0.01). Although this expression was upregulated following electroacupuncture, it did not reach the levels observed in the sham group ( P <0.05). Compared with the sham group, MRCC I and ATP levels in the CCI group were significantly reduced, and increased after electroacupuncture ( P <0.01). In the Morris water maze, electroacupuncture reduced the incubation period of rats and increased average speed and number of crossing platforms ( P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture may improve cognitive function in the mTBI rat model by regulating the SIRT-1/PGC-1α/mitochondrial pathway.

Analysis of Components and Properties of Extractives from Alnus cremastogyne Pods from Different Provenances.

Chemical components with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties extracted from Alnus bark and leaves have been extensively studied. However, less attention has been paid to extractives from Alnus pods, which are mostly treated as waste. Here, extractives of Alnus cremastogyne pods from 12 provenances in Sichuan Province were studied for high value-added utilization of Alnus waste. The extractives were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS), Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis spectra), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity. A total of 58, 49, and 51 chemical components were found when the organic solvents of ethanol, petroleum ether, and ethyl acetate were used to collect extractives, respectively. These chemical components including Phytol, CIS-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid, Germacrene D, Lupeol, and ß-sitosterol, etc., have wide applications in the fields of pharmacy and cosmetics. Moreover, it was also found that extractives in ethanol and ethyl acetate had impressive UV resistance, especially for UV-C and UV-B blocking. The results showed that the maximum block ratio towards UV-C and UV-B could reach 99%. In addition, the ethanol extract showed good anti-oxidant activity with a maximum free radical scavenging rate of 96.19%. This comprehensive and systematic study on extractives from Alnus cremastogyne pods promotes the development of high-value utilization of Alnus components.