| Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on rats with ischemic stroke.
Methods: Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups (n=12 per group): Sham operation, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, EA treatment, and MCC950 inhibitor. Following MCAO induction, the EA group received 14-day EA stimulation at specific acupoints. Neurological function was assessed using the modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS). Infarct volume was measured via 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, GSDMD, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 were analyzed using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, real-time quantitative PCR, ELISA, and Western blotting.
Results: Compared to the MCAO group, EA treatment significantly improved neurological deficits (P<0.05) and reduced infarct volume (P<0.05). Mechanistically, EA downregulated both mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3, GSDMD, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 (all P<0.05).
Conclusion: Electroacupuncture exerts neuroprotective effects against ischemic stroke in rats by inhibiting the NLRP3/Caspase-1 inflammasome pathway and reducing pyroptosis-related protein expression. |