Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of Gua Sha on motor dysfunction and oxidative stress levels in rotenone-induced Parkinson’s disease (PD) model rats.
METHODS Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group, sham-operated group, model group, drug group, sham Gua Sha group, and Gua Sha group, with 8 rats in each group. A PD rat model was established by stereotactic injection of 1 μL rotenone solution (12 μg·μL-1) into the left substantia nigra. The blank group, sham-operated group, and model group received no intervention. The drug group, sham Gua Sha group, and Gua Sha group received corresponding interventions from d14 after modeling. The drug group was given selegiline hydrochloride suspension at 0.5 mg·kg-1 by gavage for 23 consecutive days. The Gua Sha group received Gua Sha intervention, once every other day for a total of 12 sessions, ending on d36 after modeling. The sham Gua Sha group was only subjected to the same duration of handling and fixation as the Gua Sha group, without any other intervention. After intervention, open field test (OFT) and gait analysis were performed in each group. Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to detect tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) fluorescence intensity in the substantia nigra. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of TH, α-Syn, Keap1, and Nrf2 in the substantia nigra. qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of TH, α-Syn, Keap1, Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 in the substantia nigra. ELISA was used to detect striatal ROS and serum MDA, SOD, and GSH-Px levels.
RESULTS Compared with the sham-operated group, the model group showed a significantly shortened total distance in the OFT (P<0.001), significantly reduced time spent in the central zone (P<0.01), and significantly fewer entries into the central zone (P<0.001). The gait cycle was prolonged, while the mean speed (P<0.01), paw area, and stride length were decreased. TH fluorescence intensity in the substantia nigra was decreased (P<0.01), TH protein and mRNA expression were decreased (P<0.001), and α-Syn protein and mRNA expression were increased (P<0.001). Striatal ROS was increased (P<0.05), serum MDA was increased (P<0.01), and SOD and GSH-Px were decreased (P<0.001). GSH and GSH-Px in the substantia nigra were decreased (P<0.01). Keap1 protein expression in the substantia nigra was increased, while Nrf2 protein expression was decreased (P<0.001). The mRNA expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 in the substantia nigra was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001), Keap1 mRNA expression was increased (P<0.001), and G6PD and PGD protein expression in the substantia nigra was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.001). Compared with the model group, the Gua Sha group showed an increased total distance in the OFT (P<0.01), increased time spent in the central zone (P<0.01), and increased entries into the central zone. The gait cycle was shortened, while the mean speed (P<0.05), paw area, and stride length were increased. TH fluorescence intensity in the substantia nigra was enhanced (P<0.01), TH protein and mRNA expression were increased (P<0.01, P<0.001), and α-Syn protein and mRNA expression were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.001). Striatal ROS decreased, serum MDA decreased, serum SOD and GSH-Px increased, and substantia nigra GSH and GSH-Px increased (P<0.05). Keap1 protein expression in the substantia nigra was decreased, while Nrf2 protein expression was increased (P<0.001). The mRNA expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 in the substantia nigra was increased (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001), while Keap1 mRNA expression was decreased (P<0.01). G6PD and PGD protein expression in the substantia nigra was increased. The therapeutic effect of the Gua Sha group was comparable to that of the drug group.
CONCLUSION Gua Sha can improve spontaneous activity and gait dysfunction in PD model rats, and its mechanism may be related to activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 oxidative stress pathway, reduction of oxidative damage, and protection of dopaminergic neurons.