Electroacupuncture ameliorates postoperative cognitive dysfunction and associated neuroinflammation via NLRP3 signal inhibition in aged mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is associated with worsened prognosis especially in aged population. Clinical and animal studies suggested that electroacupuncture (EA) could improve POCD. However, the underlying mechanisms especially EA's regulatory role of inflammasomes remain unclear.

Methods

The model of POCD was established by partial hepatectomy surgery in 18-month mice with or without postoperative EA treatment to the Baihui acupoint (GV20) for 7 days. Cognitive functions were assessed by Morris water maze test, and proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 and microglia activity were assayed by qPCR, ELISA, or immunohistochemistry. Tight junction proteins, NLRP3 inflammasome and downstream proteins, and NF-κB pathway proteins were evaluated by wes

SUBMITTER: Sun L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8841296 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature