Scalp Acupuncture Combined with Exercise Induces PI3K/Akt Activation and Improves Synaptic Plasticity in Post-Stroke...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Post-stroke spasticity (PSS) presents significant challenges with limited effective treatments.
• The underlying mechanisms of PSS and the efficacy of complementary therapies like scalp acupuncture with exercise (SAE) require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic effects of SAE on PSS in a rat model.
• To explore the potential role of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in mediating SAE's effects on synaptic plasticity and PSS.

Main Methods:

• A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model was established to induce PSS.
• Rats were treated with SAE or Baclofen (a positive control) for 7 days.
• Neurological function, infarct volume, histopathology, synaptic ultrastructure, and protein expression (GDNF, p-PI3K, p-Akt, SYN, PSD-95, GAP-43) were assessed.

Main Results:

• SAE significantly improved neurological deficits and reduced muscle hypertonia compared to the MCAO group.
• SAE treatment decreased cerebral infarct volume and alleviated neuronal injury and synaptic damage.
• SAE upregulated glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K), phosphorylated Akt (p-AKT), and key synaptic proteins.

Conclusions:

• SAE demonstrates therapeutic potential for alleviating PSS symptoms in rats.
• The findings suggest SAE enhances synaptic plasticity, potentially through the PI3K/Akt pathway activation via GDNF upregulation.
• SAE represents a promising therapeutic strategy for managing post-stroke spasticity.