Preventive Electroacupuncture Ameliorates D-galactose-induced Alzheimer's Disease-like Inflammation and Memory Deficits, Probably Via Modulating the Microbiota-gut-brain Axis

Overview

Journal Iran J Basic Med Sci

Publisher Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2021 May 17

PMID 33995945

Citations 21

Authors

Chuan He

Zhong-Sheng Huang

Chao-Chao Yu

Xue-Song Wang

Tao Jiang

Miao Wu

Li-Hong Kong

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to observe the effects of preventive electroacupuncture (EA) on the microbiota-gut-brain axis and spatial learning and memory deficits and to investigate the possible mechanism using D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging rats.

Materials And Methods: D-gal was intraperitoneally injected to establish the aging model. We used Morris water maze to detect spatial learning and memory function of rats. RT-PCR was applied to test targeted gut microbes. The expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway proteins were detected by Western blotting. ELISA was employed to evaluate the level of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), diamine oxidase (DAO) and S-100β. Additionally, we observed ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1) expression in the hippocampal CA1 area by immunofluorescence.

Results: Morris water maze test showed decreased mean escape latency and increased target quadrant time after EA treatment. The gut microbiota composition has been modified in EA treated rats. Molecular examination indicated that expression of ZO-1 was improved and the the concentration of LPS in blood and hippocampus were reduced in EA treated rats. Further, we observed an inhibition of activated microglia and TLR4/NF-κB pathway in EA groups.

Conclusion: Preventive EA may alleviate the impairments of the microbiota-gut-brain axis and spatial learning and memory in aging, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway. The combination of acupoints GV20 and ST36 can enhance the therapeutic effect in aging rats.

Citing Articles

Study on the mechanism of acupuncture to improve mild cognitive impairment in hypertension by regulating intestinal microbiome.

Dong X, Hao X, Wen J, Yan Q, Ma K, Liu Q Front Neurosci. 2025; 18:1495384.

PMID: 39764388 PMC: 11701057. DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1495384.

Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease Via the Regulation of the Gut Microbiota With Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Long J, Zhang J, Zeng X, Wang M, Wang N CNS Neurosci Ther. 2024; 30(11):e70101.

PMID: 39508315 PMC: 11541599. DOI: 10.1111/cns.70101.

Acupuncture and moxibustion intervention in functional dyspepsia: Gastric and duodenal regulation.

Chen H, He M, Cao J, Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Yu Q Heliyon. 2024; 10(17):e35696.

PMID: 39263151 PMC: 11386019. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35696.

Acupuncture influences multiple diseases by regulating gut microbiota.

Xu H, Luo Y, Li Q, Zhu H Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2024; 14:1371543.

PMID: 39040602 PMC: 11260648. DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1371543.

Exploring Mechanism of Electroacupuncture in Modulating Neuroinflammation Based on Intestinal Flora and Its Metabolites.

Ye H, Li Z, Zhang P, Kang Z, Zhou D Chin J Integr Med. 2024; 31(2):183-192.

PMID: 39039343 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-024-3766-9.

References

Zhao L, Luo L, Jia W, Xiao J, Huang G, Tian G . Serum diamine oxidase as a hemorrhagic shock biomarker in a rabbit model. PLoS One. 2014; 9(8):e102285. PMC: 4140717. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102285. View

Garcia-Pena C, Alvarez-Cisneros T, Quiroz-Baez R, Friedland R . Microbiota and Aging. A Review and Commentary. Arch Med Res. 2017; 48(8):681-689. DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2017.11.005. View

Biagi E, Nylund L, Candela M, Ostan R, Bucci L, Pini E . Through ageing, and beyond: gut microbiota and inflammatory status in seniors and centenarians. PLoS One. 2010; 5(5):e10667. PMC: 2871786. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010667. View

Athari Nik Azm S, Djazayeri A, Safa M, Azami K, Ahmadvand B, Sabbaghziarani F . Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria ameliorate memory and learning deficits and oxidative stress in β-amyloid (1-42) injected rats. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2018; 43(7):718-726. DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2017-0648. View

Lukiw W . Lipopolysaccharide and Inflammatory Signaling in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Microbiol. 2016; 7:1544. PMC: 5035737. DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01544. View

Aluganti Narasimhulu C, Mitra C, Bhardwaj D, Burge K, Parthasarathy S . Alzheimer's Disease Markers in Aged ApoE-PON1 Deficient Mice. J Alzheimers Dis. 2019; 67(4):1353-1365. DOI: 10.3233/JAD-180883. View

Jiang C, Li G, Huang P, Liu Z, Zhao B . The Gut Microbiota and Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis. 2017; 58(1):1-15. DOI: 10.3233/JAD-161141. View

Bake S, Friedman J, Sohrabji F . Reproductive age-related changes in the blood brain barrier: expression of IgG and tight junction proteins. Microvasc Res. 2009; 78(3):413-24. PMC: 2784250. DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2009.06.009. View

Jia Y, Zhang X, Yu J, Han J, Yu T, Shi J . Acupuncture for patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017; 17(1):556. PMC: 5747102. DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-2064-x. View

10.

Elahy M, Jackaman C, Mamo J, Lam V, Dhaliwal S, Giles C . Blood-brain barrier dysfunction developed during normal aging is associated with inflammation and loss of tight junctions but not with leukocyte recruitment. Immun Ageing. 2015; 12:2. PMC: 4362825. DOI: 10.1186/s12979-015-0029-9. View

11.

Riazi K, Galic M, Kuzmiski J, Ho W, Sharkey K, Pittman Q . Microglial activation and TNFalpha production mediate altered CNS excitability following peripheral inflammation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008; 105(44):17151-6. PMC: 2579393. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0806682105. View

12.

Wolf S, Boddeke H, Kettenmann H . Microglia in Physiology and Disease. Annu Rev Physiol. 2016; 79:619-643. DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-022516-034406. View

13.

Rogers G, Keating D, Young R, Wong M, Licinio J, Wesselingh S . From gut dysbiosis to altered brain function and mental illness: mechanisms and pathways. Mol Psychiatry. 2016; 21(6):738-48. PMC: 4879184. DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.50. View

14.

Akbari E, Asemi Z, Daneshvar Kakhaki R, Bahmani F, Kouchaki E, Tamtaji O . Effect of Probiotic Supplementation on Cognitive Function and Metabolic Status in Alzheimer's Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blind and Controlled Trial. Front Aging Neurosci. 2016; 8:256. PMC: 5105117. DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00256. View

15.

Zhao Y, Cong L, Jaber V, Lukiw W . Microbiome-Derived Lipopolysaccharide Enriched in the Perinuclear Region of Alzheimer's Disease Brain. Front Immunol. 2017; 8:1064. PMC: 5591429. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01064. View

16.

Bischoff S, Barbara G, Buurman W, Ockhuizen T, Schulzke J, Serino M . Intestinal permeability--a new target for disease prevention and therapy. BMC Gastroenterol. 2014; 14:189. PMC: 4253991. DOI: 10.1186/s12876-014-0189-7. View

17.

Chen T, Xiong Y, Long M, Zheng D, Ke H, Xie J . Electro-acupuncture Pretreatment at Zusanli (ST36) Acupoint Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in Rats by Inhibiting Ca Influx Associated with Cannabinoid CB2 Receptors. Inflammation. 2018; 42(1):211-220. DOI: 10.1007/s10753-018-0885-5. View

18.

Bier A, Braun T, Khasbab R, Segni A, Grossman E, Haberman Y . A High Salt Diet Modulates the Gut Microbiota and Short Chain Fatty Acids Production in a Salt-Sensitive Hypertension Rat Model. Nutrients. 2018; 10(9). PMC: 6164908. DOI: 10.3390/nu10091154. View

19.

Han Y, Zhao T, Cheng X, Zhao M, Gong S, Zhao Y . Cortical Inflammation is Increased in a DSS-Induced Colitis Mouse Model. Neurosci Bull. 2018; 34(6):1058-1066. PMC: 6246836. DOI: 10.1007/s12264-018-0288-5. View

20.

Qin J, Li R, Raes J, Arumugam M, Burgdorf K, Manichanh C . A human gut microbial gene catalogue established by metagenomic sequencing. Nature. 2010; 464(7285):59-65. PMC: 3779803. DOI: 10.1038/nature08821. View