Effects of Electroacupuncture at Baihui(GV20)and Shenting(GV24)Acupoints on Cognitive Function and Hippocampal SIRT1 and CD31 Expression in ApoE-/-Mice After Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
YANG Jingda
CHEN Dengzhong
LI Huihong
ZHOU Li
LI Zhongyuan
LIU Yanping
Abstract：Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture(EA)at Baihui(GV20)and Shenting(GV24)acupoints on cognitive function and the expression of silent information regulator 1(SIRT1)and platelet-en-dothelial cell adhesion molecule(CD31)in the hippocampus of apolipoprotein E knockout(ApoE-/-)mice after cer-ebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI).Methods Twenty-four ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into three groups:sham-operated group(n=8),model group(n=8),and EA group(n=8).The model and EA groups underwent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion-reperfusion to establishCIRI.Cerebral blood flow changes were monitored using laser speckle contrast imaging,and the modified Neurological Severity Score(mNSS)confirmed suc-cessful modeling before randomization.One day after modeling,the EA group received EA at Baihui and Shenting for 30 minutes daily for 14 days.Post-inter-vention assessments included mNSS for neurological deficits,Morris water maze for cognitive function,ELI-SA for hippocampal inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-1β),Western blot for hippocampal SIRT1,CD31,and tight junction proteins(Occludin,Claudin-5,ZO-1),and qPCR for corresponding mRNA levels.Results Compared with the sham group,the model and EA groups showed reduced cerebral blood flow during occlusion,restored perfusion after reperfusion,and higher postoperative mNSS(P＜0.05).After intervention,the model group exhibited increased mNSS(P＜0.05);prolonged escape latency,fewer platform crossings,and reduced time in the target quadrant(P＜0.05);elevated TNF-α and IL-1β(P＜0.05);and decreased SIRT1,CD31,Occludin,Claudin-5,and ZO-1 protein and mRNA expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the EA group showed reduced mNSS;shorter escape latency,more platform crossings,and increased target quadrant time(P＜0.05);lower TNF-α and IL-1β(P＜0.05);and upreg-ulated SIRT1,CD31,Occludin,Claudin-5,and ZO-1 protein and mRNA(P＜0.05).Conclusion EA at Baihui and Shenting improves cognitive dysfunction in ApoE-/-mice withCIRI,possibly by modulating SIRT1-mediated anti-in-flammatory pathways to promote cerebral microvascular regeneration.
Keywords：ElectroacupunctureCerebral ischemia-reperfusion injurySilent information regulator 1(SIRT1)
Publication Date：2025-08-28
Online Publishing Date：2026-01-06(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：7( 893-899 )