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Published on: December 8, 2023
Acupuncture inhibits microglial activation and inflammatory events in the MPTP-induced mouse model
Jun Mo Kang1, Hi Joon Park, Yeong Gon Choi
1Department of Meridian and Acupoints, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea; WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, East-West Medical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.
Abstract:
Using a mouse model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinson's disease (PD), this study investigated on the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture by examining whether acupuncture contributed to inhibiting microglial activation and inflammatory events. C57BL/6 mice were treated with MPTP (30 mg/kg, i.p.) for 5 consecutive days. Acupuncture was then applied to acupoints Yanglingquan (GB34) and Taichong (LR3) starting 2 h after the first MPTP administration and then at 48 h intervals until the mice were sacrificed for analyses at 1, 3, and 7 days after the last MPTP injection. These experiments demonstrated that acupuncture inhibited the decreased of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity (IR) and generated a neuroprotective effects in the striatum (ST) and the substantia nigra (SN) on days 1, 3, and 7 post-MPTP injections. Acupuncture attenuated the increase of macrophage antigen complex-1 (MAC-1), a marker of microglial activation, at 1 and 3 days and reduced the increases in cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression on days 1, 3, and 7. In MPTP group, striatal dopamine (DA) was measured by 46% at 7 days, whereas DA in the acupuncture group was 78%. On the basis of these results, we suggest that acupuncture could be used as a neuroprotective intervention for the purpose of inhibiting microglial activation and inflammatory events in PD.
Insights
Acupuncture demonstrated neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD). It inhibited microglial activation and inflammatory events, preserving dopamine levels and tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Integrative Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons.
- Microglial activation and neuroinflammation are key pathological features in PD.
- Current treatments for PD offer symptomatic relief but do not halt disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture in a mouse model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD.
- To determine if acupuncture inhibits microglial activation and inflammatory responses in the context of PD.
- To assess the impact of acupuncture on dopaminergic neuron survival and dopamine levels.
Main Methods:
- C57BL/6 mice were administered MPTP to induce Parkinsonism.
- Acupuncture was applied to Yanglingquan (GB34) and Taichong (LR3) acupoints following MPTP treatment.
- Neuroprotection was evaluated by measuring tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity, microglial activation marker (MAC-1), inflammatory markers (COX-2, iNOS), and striatal dopamine (DA) levels at various time points post-MPTP injection.
Main Results:
- Acupuncture significantly inhibited the decrease in TH immunoreactivity in the striatum (ST) and substantia nigra (SN).
- Acupuncture attenuated the MPTP-induced increase in MAC-1, a marker of microglial activation, at 1 and 3 days post-injection.
- Acupuncture reduced the expression of inflammatory markers COX-2 and iNOS, and preserved striatal dopamine levels (78% in acupuncture group vs. 46% in MPTP group at 7 days).
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture exerts significant neuroprotective effects in an MPTP-induced PD mouse model.
- Acupuncture intervention inhibits microglial activation and associated inflammatory events.
- These findings suggest acupuncture as a potential therapeutic strategy for managing Parkinson's disease by mitigating neuroinflammation and preserving dopaminergic function.