Regulatory Effect of Electroacupuncture on Hypothalamic Serotonin and its Receptor in Rats with Cerebral Ischemia

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that the neurological damage caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) is not only limited to local infarction but can also cause secondary damage in distant sites, such as the hypothalamus. 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)/ 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) and 5-HT receptor 2A (5-HT2A) are important in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to study the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of 5-HT, 5-HTT, and 5-HT2A in the hypothalamus of rats with ischemic brain injury and to explore the protective effect and potential mechanism of EA on the secondary injury of cerebral ischemia. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham group, model group, and EA group. The permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) method was used to induce ischemic stroke in rats. In the EA group, the Baihui (GV20) and Zusanli (ST36) points were selected for treatment, which was administered once per day for two consecutive weeks. The neuroprotective effect of EA was evaluated by nerve defect function scores and Nissl staining. The content of 5-HT in hypothalamus was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression of 5-HTT and 5-HT2A were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with that in the sham group, the nerve defect function score in the model group rats was significantly increased, the hypothalamus tissue showed obvious nerve damage, the levels of 5-HT and the expression of 5-HTT were significantly reduced, and the expression of 5-HT2A was significantly increased. After 2 weeks of EA treatment, the nerve defect function scores of pMCAO rats were significantly reduced, the hypothalamic nerve injury was significantly reduced, the levels of 5-HT and the expression of 5-HTT were significantly increased, and the expression of 5-HT2A was significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: EA has a certain therapeutic effect on hypothalamic injury secondary to permanent cerebral ischemia, and its potential mechanism may be closely related to the upregulation of 5-HT and 5-HTT expression and the downregulation of 5-HT2A expression.