Electroacupuncture promotes neural stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of rats following stroke via upregulation of Notch1 expression

摘要: Neural stem cells (NSCs) are important in rehabilitation following stroke. Electroacupuncture (EA) treatment has been observed to promote the recovery of neurological functions subsequent stroke, however, effects EA on proliferation and differentiation NSCs its potential mechanisms remain be elucidated. In present study, rats, which a stroke was induced through middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), were treated with or control manipulation for 21 days. The modified Neurological Severity score Morris water maze tests used assess rats. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)/glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) BrdU/neuronal marker (NeuN) double immunofluorescence staining examine NSCs. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR) western blot analyses performed detect expression levels Notch1 Hes1 dentate gyrus (DG) hippocampus rats MCAO. results demonstrated that significantly improved functional A significant increase number BrdU+/GAFP+ BrdU+/NeuN+ DG area EA‑treated compared group. RT‑qPCR analysis revealed increased Hes1, may account enhanced conclusion, best our knowledge, study first demonstrate promoted NSC neurogenesis upregulation Notch signaling stroke; therefore, useful novel therapeutic strategy future treatment.