Electroacupuncture Promotes Synaptic Recovery After Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion by Activating SIRT1 to Inhibit the...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neuroinflammation
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) impairs functional recovery due to altered astrocyte phenotypes.
• Neurotoxic A1 astrocytes exacerbate damage, while A2 astrocytes support repair.
• The role of electroacupuncture (EA) in modulating astrocyte phenotypes for synaptic repair remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether EA promotes synaptic repair in CIRI by orchestrating astrocyte phenotypic switching.
• To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism involving the SIRT1-NF-κB axis.

Main Methods:

• Mice underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) and were treated with EA, SIRT1 inhibitor, or NF-κB inhibitor.
• Neurological function, cerebral blood flow, molecular markers (SIRT1, NF-κB, astrocyte markers C3 and S100A10), inflammatory cytokines, and synaptic proteins were assessed.

Main Results:

• EA significantly improved neurological function and cerebral blood flow.
• EA upregulated SIRT1 activity and suppressed NF-κB phosphorylation, promoting an anti-inflammatory shift.
• EA reduced A1 astrocyte markers (C3) and pro-inflammatory cytokines while increasing A2 markers (S100A10) and anti-inflammatory mediators.
• EA restored synaptic protein expression and ultrastructure.

Conclusions:

• EA drives astrocyte phenotypic switching from A1 to A2 via the SIRT1-NF-κB axis.
• This modulation reshapes the inflammatory microenvironment, promoting synaptic repair and functional recovery after CIRI.