Ffects Of Acupuncture On The Expression Of NMDA Receptors In The Hippocampal Neurons Of SAMP8

Objective:To explore the NMDA receptors involved mechanism of acupuncture promoting synaptic plasticity and treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by observing the effects of acupuncture on the expression of NR2A, NR2B in the hippocampal neurons of SAMP8.Methods:The9-month-old male SAMP8were taken as animal model of AD. Then use Morris water maze to evaluate the learning and memory potential of SAMP8. And the SAMP8showing a decline on learning and memory ability were randomly divided into acupuncture group and model group. SAMR1were used as control group. Then the acupuncture group was given the acupuncture treatment on DU20(Baihui) and KI1(Yongquan) once daily which lasted for4courses with7days each course. After it, the mice were executed with different methods to meet the requirement of experiment. Transmission electron microscope combining with stereological method was used to observe and measure the synaptic ultrastructure in hippocampal neurons. Western Blot combining with image analysis was used to quantify the expression of NR2A, NR2B and the radio of NR2A and NR2B in hippocampal neurons.Results:1. The results of Morris water mazeIn the place navigation test, comparing with the control group, the average escaping latency of the acupuncture group and the model group were obviously prolonged (P<0.05). The total distance travelled were increased (P<0.05) significantly.In the spatial probe trail, comparing with the control group, the percentages of swimming time in the platform quadrant of the acupuncture group and the model group were reduced obviously (P<0.05). The numbers of crossing the former platform were decreased (P<0.05). There is no significant difference in all the parameters between the acupuncture group and the model group.2. The results of transmission electron microscopeComparing with the control group, the curvature of synaptic interface in hippocampal neurons of the model group was decreased (P<0.05), the same change in the thickness of PSD (P<0.05), while the width of synaptic space was increased (P<0.05).Comparing with the model group, the curvature of synaptic interface and the thickness of PSD in hippocampal neurons of the acupuncture group were increased (P<0.05), while the width of synaptic space was decreased (P<0.05).3. The results of Western BlotThe expression of NR2A (P>0.05) and the radio of NR2A and NR2B (P>0.05) of the model group were higher than the control group in hippocampal neurons, while the expression of NR2B (P>0.05) was lower.Comparing with the model group, the expression of NR2A (P>0.05) and the radio of NR2A and NR2B (P>0.05) in hippocampal neurons of the acupuncture group were decreased, while the expression of NR2B (P>0.05) was increased.Conclusions:That the expreesion of NMDA receptors in hippocampal neurons may have related to acupuncture promoting synaptic plasticity still needs to study.