Impacts of Electroacupuncture on the Behavior in SAMP8 Mice and the Expression of β Amyloid Precursor Protein Cleaving Enzyme in Cerebral Cortex

Objective To discuss the potential effect mechanism on Alzheimer's disease with electroacupuncture. Methods Thirty- six mice of senescence- accelerated mice prone 8( SAMP8) were randomized into a model group,an electroacupuncture group and a medicine group. Twelve mice of senescence accelerated mouse / resistance 1( SAMR1) were in a normal group. In the electroacpuncture group,electroacupuncture was applied to Baihui( GV20) and Yintang( EX- HN3) for 20min. Afterwards,the pricking technique was used at Shuigou( GV26). In the medicine group,the gastric infusion with Donepezil HCl,at 0. 92mg / kg was applied. In the normal group and the model group,the same degree and time restriction were adopted as the electroacupuncture group. After treatment for 15 days,Morriz water maze test was used to determine the learning and memory ability of mice. IHC technology was used to determine the contents of β amyloid protein( Aβ) and β amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme( BACE- 1). The real- time fluorescent quantitative PCR was applied to determine the expression of BACE- 1 mRNA. Results Compared with the model group,the escaping latent period was reduced significantly in the medicine group and the electroacupuncture group,and the target quadrant swimming time was increased significantly( P 0. 05); the expressions of BACE- 1 and BACE- 1 mRNA were reduced significantly in the electroacupuncture group( P 0. 05). The total distance and velocity of swimming were reduced apparently in the electroacupuncture,indicating the significant difference as compared with the medicine group( P 0. 05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture has the improvements in learning and memory disturbance probably through inhibiting BACE- 1 expression and reducing Aβ level of cerebral cortex in SAMP8 mice.