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Effect of Different Frequencies of Electroacupuncture on Post-Stroke Dysphagia in Mice

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the optimum frequency of electroacupuncture (EA) for the treatment of dysphagia after stroke. Male C57BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal, model, 2 Hz, 50 Hz, and 100 Hz groups. All mice received a photochemical ischemia, except the normal group. The EA parameters were 1 mA for 15 min, with different frequencies (2, 50, and 100 Hz) applied. After a three day treatment, neuronal activation was detected by the expression of c-Fos. A multi-channel electrophysiological technique was used to assess the discharge of contralateral neurons and the neuron types in each group. The concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the contralateral neurons was also examined. In addition, the dysfunction of swallowing in mice was calculated according to the lick counts and the lick–lick interval within a certain period of time. The number of c-Fos neurons (P < 0.05) and the expression of BDNF (P < 0.05) increased after the 2 Hz EA treatment. The total frequency of neuron discharge in the 2 Hz group increased compared with the model group (P < 0.05). The pattern of sorted neuron populations was similar between the normal and 2 Hz groups. Consistent with these results, the lick counts increased (P < 0.05) and the lick–lick interval decreased after the 2 Hz EA treatment, which indicated a functional improvement in swallowing. These results indicated that the 2 Hz EA treatment had a good effect on dysphagia after stroke.

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Abbreviations

EA:

Electroacupuncture

BDNF:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

TMS:

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

PES:

Pharyngeal electrical stimulation

PBS:

Phosphate-buffered saline

PCA:

Principal component analysis

EM:

Expectation maximization.

BSA:

Bovine serum albumin

M1:

Primary motor cortex

PSD:

Power spectral density

NGF:

Nerve growth factor

GAP-43:

Growth associated protein-43

VLM:

Ventrolateral medulla

NA:

Nucleus ambiguus

CPG:

Central pattern generator

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Acknowledgements

We are thankful for the kindly support of all the workers at the animal facility of Jilin University for the animal care and the technical method guide.

Funding

This study is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81774406). The funding bodies do not play roles in study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation of results, and the manuscript.

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Author notes

  1. Shuqi Yao and Yun Liu contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 232 East Ring Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, People’s Republic of China

    Shuqi Yao, Yun Liu, Shuai Cui, Hongzhu Li, Chang Ji, Si Yuan, Qiuping Ye, Yu Zhang & Nenggui Xu

Authors
  1. Shuqi Yao
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  2. Yun Liu
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  3. Shuai Cui
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  4. Hongzhu Li
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  5. Chang Ji
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  6. Si Yuan
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  7. Qiuping Ye
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  8. Yu Zhang
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  9. Nenggui Xu
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Contributions

N X designed and guaranteed the whole experiment studies; S Y, Y L, S C, H L, C J, S Y, Q Y and Y Z carried out all the experiments, analyzed the statistical data, drafted the manuscript; N X edited and revised the whole manuscript; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nenggui Xu.

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Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

All procedures had the approval of the Animal Ethics Committee of the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Yao, S., Liu, Y., Cui, S. et al. Effect of Different Frequencies of Electroacupuncture on Post-Stroke Dysphagia in Mice. J Mol Neurosci 70, 1871–1879 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12031-020-01580-1

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