Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Ameliorates Cognitive Function through PINK1/Parkin Mediated Mitophagy...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cellular Biology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Vascular dementia (VD) is a debilitating condition characterized by cognitive decline.
• Current treatments for VD are limited, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies.
• Mitophagy, a selective form of autophagy, plays a crucial role in cellular quality control and neuronal health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in improving cognitive function in a rat model of vascular dementia (VD).
• To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, specifically focusing on the regulation of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy by TEAS.

Main Methods:

• A modified 2-vessel occlusion (2-VO) method was used to establish the VD rat model.
• Rats were divided into Sham, Model, TEAS, and TEAS + 3-MA (autophagy inhibitor) groups.
• Cognitive function was assessed using behavioral tests (Y maze, NORT, MWM); molecular changes were analyzed via immunofluorescence and Western blot.

Main Results:

• TEAS significantly improved learning and memory abilities in VD rats.
• TEAS upregulated the expression of mitophagy-related proteins PINK1, Parkin, and LC3-II, while downregulating LC3-I and p62.
• Inhibition of autophagy (3-MA) reversed the beneficial effects of TEAS, indicating the crucial role of mitophagy.

Conclusions:

• TEAS effectively ameliorates cognitive deficits in VD rats.
• The therapeutic effects of TEAS are mediated through the enhancement of PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy.
• TEAS represents a promising non-invasive therapeutic approach for vascular dementia.