Mechanisms of electroacupuncture for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease by activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway to improve blood-brain barrier function

<h2>Abstract</h2><h3>Aims</h3> In this study, we used APP/PS1 mice as a research vehicle to illustrate that electroacupuncture can improve the blood-brain barrier function by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). <h3>Methods</h3> 18 7-month-old SPF APP/PS1 male double-transgenic mice were selected as AD model mice and randomly divided into model group, electroacupuncture group and donepezil hydrochloride group, with 6 mice in each group, and 6 C57BL/6J male mice as normal group. After the end of the intervention, the mice in each group were subjected to Morris water maze behavioural test. After the behavioural test, the pathological morphology of hippocampal tissue was observed by HE staining method, Aβ was detected in the hippocampal region of mice by IHC method, the mRNA expression of Axin2 and Dkk1 was detected in hippocampal tissue by Real-time PCR method, and the tight junction protein, Claudin-5, was detected in hippocampal region of mice by Western Blot method. Claudin-5, Occludin protein with active β-catenin, p-GSK3β protein expression in mouse hippocampus by Western Blot. <h3>Results</h3> EA can improve the learning ability of APP/PS1 mice, restore the morphology and structure of the hippocampus, reduce the positive expression of Aβ in the hippocampus, down-regulate the expression of Axin2 and Dkk1 mRNA, and elevate the expression of the tight junction-related proteins, Claudin-5, Occludin with active β-catenin, and p-GSK3β. <h3>Conclusion</h3> EA can improve the expression of blood-brain barrier-related molecules in AD mice by regulating the expression of molecules related to the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which is beneficial to the early treatment of AD.