[Effect of electroacupuncture on the behavior and the expression of amyloid beta-protein, amyloid precursor protein and ChAT in APP 695 V 717 I transgenic mice].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and amyloid beta-protein (Abeta) in hippocampal CA 1 area and cerebral cortex in APP 695 V717 I transgenic mice, so as to investigate its underlying mechanism in improving Alzheimer's disease (AD).


METHODS
APP 695 V 717 I transgenic mice were randomly divided into model and EA groups, with 6 cases in each. The other 6 negatively-transgenic mice (C 57 BL/6 J) were used as the normal control group. EA (2 Hz/100 Hz, 3 mA) was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Yongquan" (KI 1) for 15 min, once every other day for 3 months. The learning-memory ability of mice was measured by Y-type maze test and the expression levels of APP, Abeta, and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the cerebral cotex and hippocampal CA 1 area were detected by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
In comparison with control group, the times of training for gaining correct reaction and the expression levels of Abeta and APP in both cerebral cortex and hippocampal CA 1 area in model group increased significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), while the expression level of ChAT of cerebral cortex in model group decreased considerably (P < 0.05). Compared to model group, +he times of training for gaining correct reaction and the expression levels of APP in both cerebral cortex and hippocampal CA 1 area, and Abeta in CA 1 area of EA group lowered remarkably (P < 0.05), while those of ChAT in cerebral cortex and hippocampal CA 1 area of EA group increased evidently (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Electroacupuncture can improve the learning-memory capacity of the APP transgenic mice, which may be related to its effects in increasing the production of acetylcholine and lowering the levels of APP and Abeta in the brain.
Xue
Wei-guo
WG
School of Fundamental Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
Zhang
Zhong
Z
Bai
Li-min
LM
Xu
Hong
H
Wu
Hai-xia
HX
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D011897:Random Allocation
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase