Conclusion
Compared with each treatment alone, combination therapy improved the pathological damage of DA neurons of PD mice more effectively. The possible mechanism may be attributed to the up-regulated level of mitochondrial autophagy and improved mitochondrial function. These results provide fresh insight into the mechanism of co-treatment with Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture and XXMD for PD.
Methods
C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into eight groups ( 12), including blank group, model group, medication group, acupuncture group, high-dose XXMD group (XXMD-H), low-dose XXMD group (XXMD-L), acupuncture combined with high-dose XXMD group (A+H), and acupuncture combined with low-dose XXMD group (A+L). After treatment for 6 weeks, dopamine (DA) neurons and the pathological changes of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive cells were observed. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the content of DA and the level of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). The mRNA level of PINK1 and Parkin and the protein expression of Nix, PINK1 and Parkin in the substantia nigra were also detected.
Objective
To explore the possible mechanism of Tongdu Tiaoshen acupuncture combined with Xiaoxuming decoction (, XXMD) in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD).
Results
Combination treatment effectively ameliorated the symptoms of PD. Compared with model group, combined treatment significantly up-regulated the protein expression of Nix, Parkin and PINK1 and the mRNA levels of PINK1 and Parkin in the substantia nigra (<0.0001, <0.001, <0.01 or <0.05). Furthermore, the levels of pro-inflammation cytokines were obviously decreased after combination therapy, while IL-10 content was increased remarkably (<0.01).