Influence Of Acupuncture And Moxibustion On Neural Stem Cell Proliferation And Differentiation In SAMP8 Mice Brain

Objective:In light of the "SuiHai (brain)" theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine and the neurobiology theory in modern medicine, this study aimed to investigate the influence of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy on brain neurogenesis and apoptosis of senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8), partly explored the mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy on senescence-accelerated dementia, to offer science evidence for the clinical application of "SuiHai" theory.Methods:As animal model, SAMP8 were randomized into three groups including control group, acupuncture group and moxibustion group, and SAMR1 were used as normal group. According to the therapeutic principle of "Busuiyinao (tonifying brain)", acupuncture or moxibustion therapy were applied on "Baihui(Du20)" for acupuncture group or moxibustion group respectively once daily for 21 days. After i.p BrdU into the body, the proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of neural stem cell in brain including hippocampus, olfactory bulb and cortex were dectected by immunohistochemistry, double-labled immunofluorescent and Tunel/immunofluorescent.Results:1) Proliferation Both SAMP8 and SAMR1 group appearanced BrdU, BrdU/Nestin, Ki-67/Nestin positive cells. Compared to SAMR1 group, the positive cells of SAMP8 group were obviously decreased (P＜0.05). Compared to the SAMP8 group, the positive cells of the acupuncture group and moxibustion group were obviously increased (P＜0.05), but still not as many as that of the SAMR1 group(P＜0.05). There were no significant difference between the acupuncture group and moxibustion group (P＞0.05) 2) Differentiation Both SAMP8 and SAMR1 appearanced BrdU/ markers of neuron or glia cell positive cells. Compared to SAMR1 group, the positive cells of SAMP8 group were significantly decreased (P＜0.05) and trended to differentiate into glial cells. Compared to the SAMP8 group, the positive cells of the acupuncture group and moxibustion group were significantly increased (P＜0.05) and trended to differentiate into neurons, were close to or not as many as that of the SAMR1 group (P＜0.05 or P＞0.05), There were no significant difference between the acupuncture group and moxibustion group (P＞0.05).3) Apoptosis Both SAMP8 and SAMR1 appearanced Tunel/Nestin positive cells. Compared to SAMR1 group, the positive cells of SAMP8 group were significantly increased (P＜0.05). Compared to the SAMP8 group, the positive cells of the acupuncture group and moxibustion group were significantly decreased (P＜0.05) and similar to that of SAMR1 group(P＜0.05). There were no significant differences between the acupuncture group and moxibustion group (P＞0.05).Conclusions:1) Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy can promote neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation in the hippocampus, olfactory bulb and cortex of SAMP8.2) Acupuncture and moxibustion therapy can inhibit neural stem cell apoptosis in the hippocampus, olfactory bulb and cortex of SAMP8.3) The therapeutic effects of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy by the principle of "busuiyinao" may be associated with promoting the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cell in the brain of SAMP8.