[Exploring the effect of electroacupuncture on learning and memory impairment in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion through ferritinophagy mediated by cGAS-STING signaling pathway].
摘要
OBJECTIVES: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on learning and memory in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) by regulating ferritinophagy through the cyclic GMP-adenosine synthase (cGAS) - stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, and an EA group. Except for the normal group, all rats underwent MCAO/R by suture occlusion. The EA group received treatment at "Shenting" (GV24) and "Baihui" (GV20) for 30 min once daily for 14 d. The Zea-Longa score was used to assess neurological deficits in rats. The Morris water maze test and the new object recognition test were used to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of rats. The elevated plus maze test was used to evaluate the anxiety state of rats. The TTC staining was used to measure the infarct volume of rats. The HE staining method was used to observe pathological changes in rat's brain tissue. Iron deposition in the hippocampus was assessed with Prussian blue staining. Mitochondrial morphology in the hippocampus of rats was observed using transmission electron microscopy. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of cGAS, STING, nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), P62, Beclin1, and the ratio of micro tubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) Ⅱ/ LC3Ⅰ in the hippocampus of rats. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the hippocampus of rats. RESULTS: <0.05). The EA group showed improved neuronal arrangement in the hippocampal CA1, with uniform cell spacing and more regular cell morphology. Iron deposition was reduced. Mitochondria demonstrated improved morphology, with less cristae dissolution but no obvious rupture, appearing