OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of Guasha on the behavior, the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the level of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) in the substantia nigra(SN) of the midbrain of rotenone-induced rats with Parkinson's disease (PD), so as to explore the possible mechanism underlying improvement of PD.
METHODS 32 SD male rats were randomly divided into the sham-operated group, model group, drug group and Guasha group, with 8 rats in each group. The rats in the model group, drug group and Guasha group were injected subcutaneously with rotenone (1 mg·kg-1) at the back of the neck to establish the PD rat model. The drug group was given metoba intragastric administration (50 mg·kg-1) every day, and the Guasha group was given 12 times of scraping every other day, a total of 23 d. The behavioral changes of rats were observed before modeling, after modeling and after intervention. After the intervention, the expression of TH in the SN was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence. The expression of TH and NF-κB in the SN was detected by immunohistochemistry. The contents of NF-κB, IFN-γ and IL-1β in the SN were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The cell morphology in the striatum was observed by HE staining.
RESULTS In the comparison with the sham-operated group, the behavioral score of rats in the model group was (3.42±1.248), the total distance of movement within 5 minutes was shortened (P < 0.000 1), the residence time of the starting point was extended (P < 0.05), the rest time within 5 minutes of the tail suspension was significantly extended (P < 0.001), and the expression of TH in the SN was decreased (P < 0.001). The contents of NF-κB, IFN-γ and IL-1β in the SN were increased (P < 0.000 1), and the cell swelling in the striatum was significant (P < 0.05). In the comparison with the model group, the total distance of movement within 5 minutes in Guasha group was increased, the stay time at the starting point was shortened, the rest time within 5 minutes of suspension was shortened (P < 0.05), the expression of TH in SN was increased (P < 0.05), and the contents of NF-κB, IFN-γ and IL-1β in SN were all decreased (P < 0.05). Cell swelling in the striatum was improved (P < 0.000 1). There was no statistical significance in all indexes between the Guasha group and the drug group (P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS Guasha can improve the motor dysfunction of rotenone-induced PD rats, which may be associated with its role in down-regulating inflammatory factors, inhibiting neuroinflammatory response, reducing the loss of dopaminergic neurons, and protecting neuron.
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