Background: Aging is a time-dependent multifaceted process accompanied by progressive loss of cognitive function. Electroacupuncture may combat brain oxidative stress, hippocampal damage, spatial learning, and memory impairment.
Objective: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on memory and learning in D-galactose induced rat brain aging and elucidate more underlying mechanisms.
Material and Methods: Forty male albino rats were divided into four groups; control group (C), Electroacupuncture-treated group (CE), D-galactose treated group (D) and Electroacupuncture and D-galactose-cotreated group (DE). The duration of concomitant administration of D-galactose was 10 weeks and Electroacupuncture was 15 min daily, 6 days/ week, for the last 2 weeks. At the end of the 10th week, spatial learning and memory of all groups were assessed using the Barnes maze test for 5 days. malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels were estimated in brain tissue. Cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were estimated in serum. Histopathological changes in rat hippocampus were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and congo red stains to detect amyloid plaques.
Results: Electroacupuncture treatment of all rats significantly decreased cortisol and ACTH, while the number of errors and the escape latency per second of the acquisition phase and probe phase of the Barnes maze test, the extent of hippocampal damage, MDA and TNFα were significantly decreased in DE compared to the D group.
Conclusion: Electroacupuncture ameliorates stress markers and the spatial learning and memory impairment induced by d-galactose through enhancing antioxidant activity, reducing lipid peroxidation, and hippocampal damage.