Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 25, 2025
03:26
Author Spotlight: Improving Anesthesia Protocols for Enhanced Mouse Acupuncture Research
Published on: December 8, 2023
1.2K
Electroacupuncture Inhibits Ferroptosis Induced by Cerebral Ischemiareperfusion
Gui-Ling Wang1,2, Shu-Ying Xu1, He-Qun Lv1
1Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China.
Current Neurovascular Research
|June 26, 2023
Summary
Electroacupuncture (EA) therapy improves outcomes for cerebral ischemia by inhibiting ferroptosis, a specific cell death pathway. This study demonstrates EA
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Electroacupuncture (EA) is recommended for cerebral ischemia but its mechanism is unclear.
- EA may mitigate ischemic stroke damage by inhibiting programmed cell death (PCD).
- Ferroptosis, a distinct PCD type, is implicated in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if EA alleviates cerebral I/R injury by modulating ferroptosis.
- To elucidate the role of ferroptosis in EA's neuroprotective effects.
Main Methods:
- A modified MCAO/R rat model was used, with and without EA treatment.
- Neurological deficits and infarct volume were assessed.
- Mitochondrial ultrastructure, ROS, and ferroptosis markers (ACSL4, TFR1, GPX4) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- EA treatment significantly improved neurological function and reduced infarct size.
- EA mitigated mitochondrial damage and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
- EA downregulated ACSL4 and TFR1 expression while upregulating GPX4.
Conclusions:
- EA plays a crucial role in relieving cerebral I/R injury.
- The neuroprotective effects of EA are mediated through the inhibition of ferroptosis.
Keywords:
ElectroacupunctureMCAO ratscerebral ischemia/reperfusionferroptosismitochondriaprogrammed cell death
