Acupuncture Treatment in a Mouse Model of Chronic Hypoxia-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction

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.......

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.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
10% paraformaldehyde solution	Bioroyee (Beijing) Biotechnology Co., Ltd	RL3234
ANY-maze	Science	SA201	Video tracking system
C75BL/6J mice	BEIJING HFK BIOSCIENCE CO.,LTD	No.110322220103041767	Gender: Male,  Weight: 18–22 g
Electroacupuncture device	Great Wall	KWD-808 I
Hwato acupuncture  needle	Suzhou Medical Appliance Factory	2655519
Isoflurane	RWD Life Science Co.,Ltd	R510-22
NanoZoomer Digital Pathology	Hamamatsu Photonics K. K	C9600-01
Small animal anesthesia machine	RWD	YL-LE-A106