Effect of cluster needling at scalp acupoints on differential protein expression in rat brain tissue after acute focal cerebral ischemia

To explore the function of cluster needling at scalp points therapy on regulating differential protein's expression at different time points in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model rats.

Fifty-four rats were divided into three groups randomly and 18 rats in each group. The groups respectively were the model group (group M, n = 18), cluster needling at scalp points group (group C, n = 18), false operation group (group F, n = 18). Each group was then assigned in three subgroups, including 24-h, 7-day, and 14-day subgroups. Six rats in each subgroup. Acupuncture at Baihui (GV20) and 2 points beside Baihui, which was 3–4 mm away from the midline. Longa score was used to evaluated neurological effects. Proteomics methods were used to identify differentially expression proteins with a standard of fold change greater than 1.5 and P < .05 at different times.

1. Nerve function scoring: The nerve function scores at 7 and 14 days decreased in group C, which showed better neural function than group M (P < .05). 2. Fold change in proteins: Group M showed 932 differentially expressed proteins compared with group F, and among them, 414 proteins showed significant changes in expression after acupuncture. The expression levels of Cdc42 and GFAP were increased, and Mag, Shank2, and MBP levels were decreased. In the Gene Ontology analysis, the cellular component consisted of the terms cytoplasm, cytoskeleton, lysosome, and plasma membrane. The main related biological processes were cell–cell signaling, protein transport, aging, and cell adhesion. Many synaptic and metabolic pathways were found by KEGG analysis.

Cluster needling at scalp acupoints can improve the nerve function score and improve dyskinesia in MCAO model rats. Cluster needling at scalp acupoints can regulate the expression of 414 proteins, including Cdc42, GFAP, Mag, Shank2, and MBP, which are related to cerebral ischemia. The differential proteins are major concentration in cytoplasm, cytoskeleton, lysosomes, and plasma membrane, participate in cell–cell signaling, protein transport, aging, and cell adhesion, and act through multiple synaptic and metabolic pathways to exert their biological functions.