A study on the mechanism for neuron protection by heat shock protein after pre-acupuncture

ObjectiveTo observe effects of acupuncture prestimulus on heat shock protein HSP 70, HSP 90 and apoptotic rate of hippocampal neuron in model rats with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in order to investigate the functional mechanism in preventing and treating AD by acupuncture.MethodsSD rats were randomly divided into control, sham operation, model and acupuncture prestimulus groups, with 10 rats in each group. In the pre-acupuncture group, electroacupuncture and moxibustion were given at “Băihuì” ( GV 20) and “Shènshū” ( BL 23) on both sides for three weeks, then Aβ1–42 was injected into hippocampus on both sides to prepare the model rats with AD. After AD's model was established, EA and moxibustion were given again for one week. Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out to determine the mean optical density expression of HSP 70 and HSP 90 in CA 1 area of hippocampus in the rats, and flow cytometry was used to determine the apoptotic rates of hippocampal neuron cells.ResultsAfter acupuncture prestimulus for 4 weeks, the mean optical density expression of HSP 70 and HSP 90 in CA 1 area of hippocampus in the rats significantly increased in comparison to that in the model group (P<0.01), and the apoptotic rate of the cells significantly decreased in comparison to that in the model group (P<0.01).ConclusionAcupuncture prestimulus can inhibit cell apoptosis by inducing the expression of HSP 70 and HSP 90 in brain, and thus protect neurons.