Electroacupuncture attenuates ferroptosis by promoting Nrf2 nuclear translocation and activating Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway in ischemic stroke
2025

Electroacupuncture Reduces Cell Death in Stroke by Activating a Protective Pathway

Sample size: 72 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Yang Xi-chen, Jin Ya-ju, Ning Rong, Mao Qiu-yue, Zhang Peng-yue, Zhou Li, Zhang Cheng-cai, Peng Yi-chen, Chen Na

Primary Institution: Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China

Hypothesis

Can electroacupuncture inhibit ferroptosis by promoting Nrf2 nuclear translocation in ischemic stroke?

Conclusion

Electroacupuncture can alleviate cerebral injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion by promoting Nrf2 nuclear translocation.

Supporting Evidence

  • Electroacupuncture improved neurological deficits in rats with ischemic stroke.
  • EA treatment reduced brain infarct volume and neuronal damage.
  • Electroacupuncture increased the expression of protective proteins like GPX4 and SLC7A11.

Takeaway

Electroacupuncture helps protect the brain after a stroke by stopping a type of cell death called ferroptosis.

Methodology

The study used a rat model of ischemic stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion and assessed the effects of electroacupuncture on neurological function and biochemical markers.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in behavioral scoring due to lack of blinding.

Limitations

The study was conducted on rats, and results may not directly translate to humans.

Participant Demographics

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 200±20g.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/s13020-024-01047-0

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