Electroacupuncture alleviates corpus callosum injury in rats with ischemic stroke by inhibiting excessive activation of astrocytes and overexpression of connexin 43

BACKGROUND: White matter injury is a critical pathological characteristic of ischemic stroke. Connexin 43 (Cx43), the dominant connexin protein in astrocytes, has recently been identified as a therapeutic target for ischemic stroke. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of electroacupuncture (EA) against ischemic brain injury in rats by modulating Cx43. METHODS: An ischemic stroke model was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (pMCAO). Rats were randomly assigned to four groups: sham, pMCAO, pMCAO + EA, and pMCAO + sham EA. The neurological severity score test was used to assess neurological deficits. Damage to the corpus callosum (CC) was evaluated using hematoxylin staining. The expression of Cx43 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was measured using western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The expression of inflammatory factors, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-4, was assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: EA treatment significantly improved neurological function and reduced white matter injury. Furthermore, EA treatment notably downregulated the expression of Cx43 and GFAP in the CC. In addition, EA reduced TNF-α expression and increased IL-4 expression in the CC. CONCLUSION: EA treatment can alleviate white matter damage in rats with ischemic stroke, potentially through the inhibition of GFAP and Cx43 overexpression, thereby regulating the release of inflammatory factors.