Effect of Electro-acupuncture on Amyloid Protein β1-40 Expression in Hippocampal CA1 Area of Vascular Dementia Rats in Vivo

Objective To observe the effect of electro-acupuncture(EA) on learning and memory abilities as well as the protein and gene expression of amyloid protein β1-40(Aβ1-40) in the hippocampal CA1 area of vascular dementia( VD) rats. Methods SD rats were randomized into sham operation group, model group, EA group(EA on Baihui and Dazhui points) and western medicine group(treated with Piracetam 0.8 mg·kg-1· d-1). Rats except for the sham operation group were modeled by modified two-vessel occlusion(2-VO). Morris water maze test was employed to study the learning and memory behavior of rats. The protein expression of Aβ1-40 was measured by Western blotting, and its gene expression was measured by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results On experimental day 1-4, escape latency of rats in the model group was prolonged, total time for staying in the original quadrant and average time for staying in the original quadrant were shortened, and Aβ1-40 protein and gene expression levels in the hippocampal CA1 area were increased(P0.05 or P0.01). In EA group, escape latency was shortened, total time for staying in the original quadrant and average time for staying in the original quadrant were prolonged, and Aβ1-40 protein and gene expression levels in the hippocampal CA1 area were decreased( P 0.05 or P 0.01). Conclusion EA is effective on improving the learning and memory abilities of VD rats, and the mechanism is probably related with the regulation of Aβ1-40 protein and gene expression in the hippocampal CA1 area of VD rats.