Long-term electrical stimulation at ear and electro-acupuncture at ST36-ST37 attenuated COX-2 in the CA1 of hippocampus in kainic acid-induced epileptic seizure rats

Abstract

Seizures produce brain inflammation, which in turn enhances neuronal excitability. Therefore, anti-inflammation has become a therapeutic strategy for antiepileptic treatment. Cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays a critical role in postseizure brain inflammation and neuronal hyperexcitability. Our previous studies have shown that both electrical stimulation (ES) at the ear and electro-acupuncture (EA) at the Zusanli and Shangjuxu acupoints (ST36–ST37) for 6 weeks can reduce mossy fiber sprouting, spike population, and high-frequency hippocampal oscillations in kainic acid (KA)-induced epileptic seizure rats. This study further investigated the effect of long-term ear ES and EA at ST36–ST37 on the inflammatory response in KA-induced epileptic seizure rats. Both the COX-2 levels in the hippocampus and the number of COX-2 immunoreactive cells in the hippocampal CA1 region were increased after KA-induced epileptic seizures, and these were reduced through the 6-week application of ear ES or EA at ST36–ST37. Thus, long-term ear ES or long-term EA at ST36–ST37 have an anti-inflammatory effect, suggesting that they are beneficial for the treatment of epileptic seizures.

Electroacupuncture Inhibits the Activity of Astrocytes in Spinal Cord in Rats with Visceral Hypersensitivity by Inhibiting P2Y1 Receptor‐Mediated MAPK/ERK Signaling Pathway

“…e Zusanli acupoint (ST36) is 3-4 mm below the knee joint and 1-2 mm outside the tibia crest. Shangjuxu acupoint (ST37) is located 7-8 mm below the knee joint and 1-2 mm outside the tibia crest [35]. e rat was fixed in a self-made fixator.…”

Electric Stimulation of Ear Reduces the Effect of Toll-Like Receptor 4 Signaling Pathway on Kainic Acid-Induced Epileptic Seizures in Rats

“…Accordingly, these medicines have severe side effects on cognition and memory [ 1 , 2 ]. Epilepsy is the result of an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory function and can be induced in animal models by overactivation of excitatory neurotransmitter receptors through a kainic acid (KA) injection, which is utilized to initiate epileptic seizures [ 3 ]. Another method to induce epileptic seizures involves blocking the inhibitory GABA A receptors, and this can be performed using pilocarpine [ 4 ].…”

“…Acupuncture has been used in Asia for thousands of years to treat diseases. A number of studies have indicated that electroacupuncture (EA) can be used to treat stroke-induced dementia [ 16 ], epilepsy [ 3 ], body weight control [ 17 ], Parkinson's disease [ 18 ], depression [ 19 ], and pain [ 20 , 21 ]. Initially, scientists determined that acupuncture treatment worked through the release of endogenous opiates [ 22 ], serotonin [ 23 ], and adenosine [ 24 ].…”

“…The well-known mechanism of acupuncture analgesia involves the release of opiates in CNS [ 22 ] and adenosine in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) [ 24 ]. A recent study showed that long-term electric stimulation (ES) of the ear significantly reduces inflammatory mediators in CA1 of the hippocampus in KA-induced epileptic seizure in rats [ 3 ]. In the current study, we hypothesized that TLR4 and related molecules are crucial for epileptic seizure in rats.…”

Cyclooxygenase-2 contributes to oxidopamine-mediated neuronal inflammation and injury via the prostaglandin E2 receptor EP2 subtype

“…COX-2 is usually present at low levels under normal conditions, but is rapidly and robustly induced by stimuli including infection, injury and pain to initiate pro-inflammatory processes that could facilitate and maintain the disease states 3 – 5 . As a major COX-2 product within the brain, PGE 2 has been widely thought to promote the neuronal inflammation and degeneration in many neurological diseases such as ischemic stroke 6 , 7 , epilepsy 8 – 10 , neurodegenerative diseases 11 – 13 , brain tumor 14 , 15 , inflammatory pain 16 , etc. PGE 2 can bind and activate four G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs): EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4.…”