Olfactory three needle regulates the proliferation of olfactory bulb neural stem cells and ameliorates brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024045821

Zhou, F., Wang, Z., Xiong, K., Zhang, M., Wang, Q., Wang, Y., & Li, X. (2024). Olfactory three needle regulates the proliferation of olfactory bulb neural stem cells and ameliorates brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Heliyon, e28551. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28551

Abstract

Background

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious cerebrovascular emergency. The incidence of SAH and hazard ratio of death increase with age.

Objective

In this study, we aimed to observe the effects and potential mechanisms of olfactory three needle (OTN) on cognitive impairment, neuronal activity, and neural stem cell differentiation in SAH rats.

Methods

Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: Sham, SAH group, SAH + Nimodipine (NMP) group, and SAH + OTN group. The rats in the SAH + OTN group received the OTN electroacupuncture treatment. For treatment with recombinant DKK1 (a Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor), mice were injected with DKK1.

2.3. Electroacupuncture treatment

Electroacupuncture OTN point began 1 day before the operation. Use sterile stainless steel needles (Huatuo, Suzhou, China), 0.3 cm oblique puncture at Yingxiang (LI 20) point inward and upward, and 0.3cm flat puncture at Yintang (GV 29) point towards the root of the nose. Stimulation was then generated with the EA apparatus (G6805-2A, Huayi, Shanghai, China). The stimulation parameters were set as follows: density wave, frequency 80–100Hz, current intensity 1–3 mA, voltage 1–3 V. Needle-retention time lasted 10 minutes. This treatment was administered once a day for 7 days.

Results

Our results found that OTN improved cognitive impairment and hippocampal neuron damage in SAH rats. Furthermore, OTN promoted the proliferation of neural stem cells in SAH rats. Mechanistically, OTN activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in SAH rats, as indicated by the increased expression levels of Wnt1, β-Catenin, LMNB1, and p-GSK-3β. DKK1 reversed the improvement effect of OTN on cognitive impairment and neuronal damage in SAH rats. Meanwhile, DKK1 blocked the promoting effect of OTN on the proliferation of NSCs in SAH rats.

Conclusions

OTN electroacupuncture may be an effective therapeutic strategy for SAH.

Keywords

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Olfactory three needle

Neuronal damage

Neural stem cell differentiation

Wnt/β-catenin signaling