IMR Press / JIN / Volume 23 / Issue 1 / DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2301011
Open Access Review
The Neuroprotective Effects of Electroacupuncture on Parkinson's Disease and the Underlying Molecular Mechanisms
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1 Department of Scientific Research, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, 201318 Shanghai, China
2 Department of Physiology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Changzhi Medical College, 046000 Changzhi, Shanxi, China
3 Traditional Chinese Vascular Surgery, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 201203 Shanghai, China
*Correspondence: hqq@sumhs.edu.cn (Qiuqin Han); sdliwenhui@163.com (Wenhui Li); drliuguobin@shutcm.edu.cn (Guobin Liu)
These authors contributed equally.
J. Integr. Neurosci. 2024, 23(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.jin2301011
Submitted: 22 August 2023 | Revised: 27 September 2023 | Accepted: 11 October 2023 | Published: 16 January 2024
Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease whose main pathological features are the degeneration of dopamine neurons and deposition of α-synuclein in neurons. At present, the most important treatment strategy for PD is drugs, and one of the most used drugs is levodopa. However, this therapy shows many problems, such as tolerance and long-term effects, so other treatment strategies need to be explored. As a traditional Chinese medicine treatment method with effective and few side effects, electroacupuncture is considered a non-drug therapy. It serves as a novel, promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of PD. In this review, the application and the effects of electroacupuncture on PD have been described. Besides, the underlying molecular mechanisms of electroacupuncture on PD that contribute to protecting dopaminergic neurons and reducing α-synuclein levels have been illustrated, including ① anti-oxidant stress response, ② anti-neuroinflammatory response, ③ up-regulation of neurotrophic factors and reduction of nerve cell apoptosis, ④ down-regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and improvement of mitochondrial function, ⑤ improvement of the function of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, ⑥ anti-excitatory toxicity response, ⑦ activation of autophagy, and ⑧ modulation of gut microbiota. Achieving a better understanding of the neuroprotective effects of electroacupuncture on PD will provide a theoretical basis and facilitate the application of electroacupuncture on PD.

Keywords
Parkinson's disease
electroacupuncture
dopamine
α-synuclein
Funding
PW2020E-4/Health Commission of Pudong New Area Health and Family Planning Scientific Research Project
SGKJ-202119/Siming Youth Fund Project of Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
21Y21920200/Medical Innovation Research Special Project of 2021 “Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan” of Shanghai
2021L350/Scientific and Technological Innovation Programs of Higher Education Institutions in Shanxi
20210302124194/Fundamental Research Program of Shanxi Province
Shanghai Rising-Star Program
23YF1418200/Shanghai Sailing Program
20234Y0294/Shanghai Municipal Health Commission Foundation grant
A1-2601-23-311007-21/Hundred Teacher Talent Program of Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Figures
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