Yan Lu1, Haijun Zhao1, Yuan Wang1, Bingbing Han1, Tong Wang2, Hong Zhao3, Kemi Cui3, Shijun Wang4. 1. Department of Experimental Acupuncturology, College of Acumox and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250355, China. 2. School of Nursing, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250355, China. 3. (Department of Systems Medicine & Bioengineering, Houston Methodist Research) Institute, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Houston, TX 77030, United States. 4. Department of Experimental Acupuncturology, College of Acumox and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250355, China. Electronic address: feichanglulu@gmail.com.
Abstract
AIMS: Cerebral ischemia is one of the common diseases treated by electro-acupuncture (EA). Although the clinical efficacy has been widely affirmed, the mechanisms of action leading to the health benefits are not understood. In this study, the role of EA in modulating the lactate energy metabolism and lactate transportation was explored on the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) ischemic rat model. MAIN METHODS: Repeated EA treatments once daily for 7 days were applied to the MCAO rats and neurological function evaluation was performed. Brain tissues were harvested for lactate concentration examination, immunohistochemical staining, Western blot and qRT-PCR analyses for the expressions of lactate transporter (monocarboxylate transporter 1, MCT1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). KEY FINDINGS: The animal behavioral tests showed that the 7-day EA treatments significantly promoted the recovery of neurological deficits in the MCAO rats, which correlated with the enhanced lactate energy metabolism in the ischemic brain. In the cortical ischemic area of the MCAO rats, EA treatments led to the activation of astrocytes, and induced a further increase of lactate transporter (monocarboxylate transporter 1, MCT1) expression in astrocytes at both protein and mRNA levels. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest that the EA treatments activated lactate metabolism in the resident astrocytes around the ischemic area and up-regulated the expression of MCT1 in these astrocytes which facilitated the transfer of intracellular lactate to extracellular domain to be utilized by injured neurons to improve the neurological deficit.
AIMS: Cerebral ischemia is one of the common diseases treated by electro-acupuncture (EA). Although the clinical efficacy has been widely affirmed, the mechanisms of action leading to the health benefits are not understood. In this study, the role of EA in modulating the lactate energy metabolism and lactate transportation was explored on the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) ischemicrat model. MAIN METHODS: Repeated EA treatments once daily for 7 days were applied to the MCAOrats and neurological function evaluation was performed. Brain tissues were harvested for lactate concentration examination, immunohistochemical staining, Western blot and qRT-PCR analyses for the expressions of lactate transporter (monocarboxylate transporter 1, MCT1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). KEY FINDINGS: The animal behavioral tests showed that the 7-day EA treatments significantly promoted the recovery of neurological deficits in the MCAOrats, which correlated with the enhanced lactate energy metabolism in the ischemic brain. In the cortical ischemic area of the MCAOrats, EA treatments led to the activation of astrocytes, and induced a further increase of lactate transporter (monocarboxylate transporter 1, MCT1) expression in astrocytes at both protein and mRNA levels. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest that the EA treatments activated lactate metabolism in the resident astrocytes around the ischemic area and up-regulated the expression of MCT1 in these astrocytes which facilitated the transfer of intracellular lactate to extracellular domain to be utilized by injured neurons to improve the neurological deficit.