Laser acupuncture at HT7 improves the cerebellar disorders in valproic acid- rat model of autism

Publication date: Available online 15 June 2017 Source:Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies Author(s): Jurairat Khongrum, Jintanaporn Wattanathorn The novel therapeutic strategy against autism is essential due to the limited therapeutic efficacy. Based on the benefit of laser acupuncture at HT7 acupoint on the neurological disorders related with oxidative stress and inflammation, its benefit on oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and GABAergic/glutamatergic imbalance in cerebellum of autism have been considered. To elucidate this issue, male rat pups were induced autistic-like condition by valproic acid (VPA) and treated with laser acupuncture at HT7 acupoint once daily between postnatal days 14-40. At the end of study, the changes of oxidative stress markers, the expressions of cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) proteins (65 and 67 kDa) together with gamma-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) activity and density of Purkinje cell in the cerebellum were assessed. The results showed that laser acupuncture HT7 decreased oxidative stress, IL-6 expression, and GABA-T activity but increased the expressions of GAD 65 kDa together with the density of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. Therefore, laser acupuncture at HT7 is the potential strategy to improve the cerebellar disorders in VPA- rat model of autism. The mechanism may occur partly via the decrease of oxidative stress status, inflammation, and the improved GABAergic function.
Source: Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies - Category: Complementary Medicine Source Type: research