Effect of electroacupuncture on cerbral ischemic injury in rats via regulation of the HIF-1/BNIP3/Beclin-1 pathway

Key Points

• This research aims to investigate how electroacupuncture regulates the HIF-1α/BNIP3/Beclin-1 pathway to mitigate cerebral ischemic injury in rats.
• 50 SD rats divided into five groups: sham, model, electroacupuncture, HIF-1α agonist (DMOG), and electroacupuncture + DMOG.
• MCAO model established using the filament method.
• Electroacupuncture applied to specific acupuncture points.
• Neurological function assessed using Zea-Longa score, infarction area measured by TTC staining, neuronal damage observed via Nissl staining, and protein expression analyzed by Western blot.
• Model group showed significantly increased neurological deficits and infarct size compared to sham (<P<0.05, <P<0.01).
• Electroacupuncture, DMOG, and electroacupuncture + DMOG groups demonstrated improved neurological scores and reduced infarct area compared to the model group (<P<0.05, <P<0.01).
• Elevated protein expressions of HIF-1α, BNIP3, Beclin-1, and LC3-II in the model group, which improved following treatment, indicating enhanced mitophagy.