电针通过调控IL-33/ST2信号通路抑制缺血性脑卒中大鼠小胶质细胞活化OA

Objective To investigate the potential mechanism of electroacupuncture(EA)in promoting motor function recov-ery in rats with ischemic stroke based on the its role in the dynamic regulation of microglial cell activation via the interleukin-33(IL-33)/suppression of tumorigenicity 2(ST2)signaling pathway.Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group,model group,and EA group.The suture method was used to establish a model of right middle cerebral artery occlusion,and then the rats were divided into 1-,3-,and 7-day subgroups based on the duration of intervention.EA was performed at Baihui,Dazhui,and bilateral Neiguan points with a dilatational wave(5 Hz/10 Hz,1 mA)for 20 minutes each time,once a day.Modified Neurological Severity Score(mNSS)was used to assess the neurological function of rats;TTC stai-ning was used to measure the percentage of cerebral infarct volume;HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of hippocampal tissue;immunofluorescence assay was used to measure the cells positive for ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1(Iba1),a marker for microglial cells,in the ischemic cortex;ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and interleukin-10(IL-10);Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of ST2 and IL-33.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the model group had significant increa-ses in mNSS score and the percentage of cerebral infarct volume(P＜0.05),with disordered arrangement of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region and widened intercellular space due to interstitial edema,as well as a significant increase in the number of Iba1-positive cells(P＜0.05),significant increases in the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β(P＜0.05),a significant reduc-tion in the serum level of IL-10(P＜0.05),and significant increases in the protein expression levels of ST2 and IL-33(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the EA group had significant reductions in mNSS score and the percentage of cerebral infarct volume(P＜0.05),with a significant improvement in the structural integrity of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region and narrowing of intercellular space,as well as a significant reduction in the number of Iba1-positive cells(P＜0.05),signifi-cant increases in the serum levels of IL-1β and TNF-α(P＜0.05),significant reductions in the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α(P＜0.05),and significant increases in the protein expression levels of IL-33 and ST2(P＜0.05).Conclusion EA may exert a neuroprotective effect on rats with ischemic stroke by regulating the IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway and inhibiting the overactiva-tion of microglial cells.