Auricular Electroacupuncture Reduced Inflammation-Related Epilepsy Accompanied by Altered TRPA1, pPKCα, pPKCε, and pERk12 Signaling Pathways in Kainic Acid-Treated Rats

Abstract EN

Background.

Inflammation is often considered to play a crucial role in epilepsy by affecting iron status and metabolism.

In this study, we investigated the curative effect of auricular acupuncture and somatic acupuncture on kainic acid- (KA-) induced epilepsy in rats.

Methods.

We established an epileptic seizure model in rats by KA (12 mg, ip).

The 2 Hz electroacupuncture (EA) was applied at auricular and applied at Zusanli and Shangjuxu (ST36-ST37) acupoints for 20 min for 3 days/week for 6 weeks beginning on the day following the KA injection.

Results.

The electrophysiological results indicated that neuron overexcitation occurred in the KA-treated rats.

This phenomenon could be reversed among either the auricular EA or ST36-ST37 EA treatment, but not in the sham-control rats.

The Western blot results revealed that TRPA1, but not TRPV4, was upregulated by injecting KA and could be attenuated by administering auricular or ST36-ST37 EA, but not in the sham group.

In addition, potentiation of TRPA1 was accompanied by increased PKCα and reduced PKCε.

Furthermore, pERK1/2, which is indicated in inflammation, was also increased by KA.

Furthermore, the aforementioned mechanisms could be reversed by administering auricular EA and could be partially reversed by ST36-ST37 EA.

Conclusions.

These results indicate a novel mechanism for treating inflammation-associated epilepsy and can be translated into clinical therapy.