Effect of electroacupuncture on dopaminergic neurons in a rat model of Parkinson's disease based on the α-synuclein pathway

To explore the possibility of using electroacupuncture to prevent injury of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of rats with Parkinson's disease (PD), Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group, model group, drug (Medoba) group, and an electroacupuncture group. Rotenone was injected into the right substantia nigra to induce a PD rat model with single side substantia nigra injury. A rotation behavior observation method was used to observe changes in rotation behavior and apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra after electroacupuncture. Total RNA was extracted using nano-magnetic beads and retrieved from the DNA using a MagBeads Total RNA Extraction Kit. Rotenone can induce PD symptoms in Wistar rats, and we explored the effect of electroacupuncture in improving these induced Parkinson's symptoms in PD rats. The effect was similar to that of Medoba. Electroacupuncture reduced the α-synuclein (α-SYN) levels in the substantia nigra of the PD rats to some extent. We concluded that the content and inhibition of aggregation electroacupuncture can protect dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of PD rats. Additionally, electroacupuncture can effectively prevent injury of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of rats with PD.