Abstract:

Objective　To explore the effects of electroacupuncture on behavior and APP mRNA and BACE-1 mRNA in senescence accelerated mouse (SAMP8). This provides a further evidence for  therapy of  Alzheimer's disease.　Methods　Sixty senescence accelerated mice prone 8 (SAMP8) were randomized into a model group，an electroacupuncture group and a medicine group. Twenty mice of senescence accelerated mouse / resistance 1(SAMP1) were in a normal group．In the electroacpuncture group，electroacupuncture was applied to "Baihui"，"Shenyu"，"Neiguan" and "Dazhui"．In the medicine group，the gastric infusion with Huperzine A was applied 0.02 mg/kg．The normal group and model group were not treated. After treatment for 20 days，Morris water maze test was used to determine the learning and memory ability of mice. The expression of  APP and BACE-1 was determined with immunohistochemistry. The real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was applied to determine the expression of APP mRNA and BACE-1 mRNA．Results Compared with the model group，the escaping latent period was reduced significantly in the medicine group and the electroacupuncture group，frequencies of leaping and the target quadrant swimming time was increased significantly(P＜0.05); the expressions of APP mRNA and BACE-1 mRNA were reduced significantly in the electroacupuncture group(P＜0.05).　Conclusion　Electroacupuncture has improvements in learning and memory disturbance probably through inhibiting APP mRNA and BACE-1 mRNA expression and reduced cerebral Aβ level in SAMP8 mice．

Key words:  Alzheimerps disease, Amyloid precursor protein, B site APP cleaving enzyme1