Effect of Electroacupuncture on Respiratory Chain Complex Enzyme Activity in SAMP8 Mouse Hippocampine Mitochondria

Objective To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture on respiratory chain complex enzyme activity in SAMP8 mouse hippocampine mitochondria and explore from mitochondria the machanisn of therapeutic action of electroacupuncture on Alzheimer disease.Methods Sixteen 8-month-old SAMP8 mice were randomly allocated to a model group of 8 mice and an electroacupuncture of 8 mice.Eight other 8-month-old SAMP8 mice constituted a control group.Mouse learning ability and memory were assessed using a Morris water maze.Respiratory chain complex enzyme activity in hippocampine mitochondria was measured by spectrophotometry.Results The mean escape latency lengthened significantly,the time spent in the original platform quadrant shortened significantly and respiratory chain enzyme complexⅠ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ activities in hippocampine mitochondria decreased in the model group of mice compared with the control group(P0.01,P0.05).The mean escape latency shortened,the time spent in the original platform quadrant lengthened and respiratory chain enzyme complexⅠ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ activities in hippocampine mitochondria increased significantly in the electroacupuncture group compared with the model group(P0.01,P0.05).Conclusion Possible mechanisms for electroacupuncture treatment of AD are increasing respiratory chain complex enzyme activity in hippocampine mitochondria and improving mitochondrial function.