Effects of Acupuncture on the Levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in Serum and on the Learning and Memory Ability of Vascular Dementia Rats

Objective:To explore the effects of acupuncture on the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in serum and on the ability of learning and memory in vascular dementia(VD) rats,to provide the basis for the clinical treatment of vascular dementia.Methods:168 male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups,including normal group,sham operation group,model group,acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture group.VD rat model was made with the four-vessel occlusion method.After successful modeling,acupuncture on Sishencong and Fengchi points,to test learning and memory in rats at different time points by Morris water maze;to detect changes of TNF-α,IL-1β content levels in serum with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:At the same time point,the acupuncture group,EA group compared with model group,the rats escape latency was significantly shorter and the times of over-stepping of platform was increased,and the differences were statistically significant(P0.05 or P0.01);at the same time point,the times of over-stepping of platform of EA group was significantly increased than those in acupuncture group,and the difference was statistically significant(P0.05).At the same time point,TNF-α and IL-1β content levels in serum of acupuncture group and EA group compared with model group were significantly decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(P0.01);at the same time point,TNF-αcontent levels in serum of EA group compared with acupuncture group was significantly decreased,and the difference was statistically significant(P0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture on Sishencong and Fengchi can improve learning and memory ability of VD rats,and it has a protective effect on brain.Moreover,it can also reduce TNF-α and IL-1β contents in serum of VD rats,so electro-acupuncture is more significant.