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In This Article

  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Protocol
  • Representative Results
  • Discussion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Materials
  • References
  • Reprints and Permissions

Summary

Here, we describe a protocol for implementing mild anesthesia and acupuncture treatment on a chronic hypoxia mouse model and conducting behavioral tests to assess the cognitive alterations post-treatment.

Abstract

The treatment of central nervous disorders has consistently posed significant challenges to the medical field. Acupuncture, a non-pharmacological practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, entails the insertion of fine needles into precise points on the body and is commonly employed for the management of diverse conditions. Recently, acupuncture has emerged as a promising therapeutic intervention for a range of neurological diseases, including anxiety and respiratory disorders. However, the potential of acupuncture in treating cognitive dysfunction induced by chronic hypoxia has not yet been explored. This paper presents a comprehensive protocol for establishing a mouse model of chronic hypoxia-induced cognitive impairment, administering mild anesthesia, performing acupuncture treatment, and assessing behavioral changes and memory abilities using open field tests and water mazes. The step-by-step protocol provides detailed instructions on accurately locating and positioning acupoints and needles for cognitive improvement. By employing this protocol, researchers can conduct systematic studies to thoroughly evaluate the therapeutic potential of acupuncture for cognitive dysfunction.

Introduction

The global population is currently facing a critical aging problem, resulting in a rapid increase in the prevalence of cognitive disorders. The worldwide incidence of cognitive impairment is approximately 53.97 per 1000 person-years1. Chronic cerebral hypoxia caused by vascular dysfunction or circulatory/respiratory disorders remains one of the major risk factors for age-related dementia2. Previous studies have demonstrated that cerebral hypoxia can increase amyloid-β deposition by modifying BACE1 expression3. Additionally, hypoxia has been associated with glial-cell dysregulation and neuroin....

Protocol

The animal experiments were conducted with the approval of the Committee on Animal Research and Ethics of the Hebei Yiling Medical Research Institute (approval number: N2022148). Male C57BL/6J mice weighing 18-22 g (see Table of Materials) were housed in the new drug evaluation center of Hebei Yiling Medical Research Institute. They were provided with normal food and clean water and exposed to artificial light for 12 h daily. The rooms maintained a controlled temperature range of 20-26 °C and relati.......

Representative Results

Characterizing mouse locomotion trajectories in the open field experiment
The trajectory map reveals that mice in the normal group exhibit a profound inclination for exploration in unfamiliar environments. Their activity trajectories are primarily concentrated in the corners while covering the entire open field (left panel). In contrast, the long-term hypoxia model group of mice displays a significantly diminished desire to explore novel surroundings. They predominantly linger in the corners withou.......

Discussion

Acupuncture, a non-pharmacological medical practice originating in China over 2,000 years ago, involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body known as acupuncture points. These points are believed to be connected by channels or meridians through which the body's vital energy, or "qi," flows24. By stimulating these points, acupuncture aims to restore balance and harmony to the body. It has been shown to effectively treat various conditions, including chronic pai.......

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by S&T Program of Hebei (NO.E2020100001, and NO.22372502D), High-level S & T Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talent Project of Shijiazhuang (No. 07202203).

....

Materials

NameCompanyCatalog NumberComments
10% paraformaldehyde solutionBioroyee (Beijing) Biotechnology Co., LtdRL3234
ANY-mazeScience SA201Video tracking system
C75BL/6J miceBEIJING HFK BIOSCIENCE CO.,LTDNo.110322220103041767Gender: Male,  Weight: 18–22 g
Electroacupuncture deviceGreat WallKWD-808 I
Hwato acupuncture  needleSuzhou Medical Appliance Factory2655519 
IsofluraneRWD Life Science Co.,LtdR510-22
NanoZoomer Digital PathologyHamamatsu Photonics K. KC9600-01
Small animal anesthesia machineRWDYL-LE-A106

References

  1. Pais, R., Ruano, L., Carvalho, O. P., Barros, H. Global cognitive impairment prevalence and incidence in community dwelling older adults- A systemic review. Geriatrics. 5 (4), 84 (2020).
  2. Tian, Z., Ji, X., Liu, J.

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AcupunctureMouse ModelChronic HypoxiaCognitive DysfunctionAnesthesiaBehavioral AssessmentOpen Field TestWater Maze

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