Electroacupuncture's Impact on the Hippocampal RAGE/LRP1 Receptor System in SAMP8 Mice

Age-related cognitive impairment (ARCI) is linked to β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation and disrupted blood-brain barrier (BBB) transport via receptors for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1). This study examines electroacupuncture (EA) effects on cognition, hippocampal pathology, neurotransmitters, and the RAGE/LRP1 system in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice. EA at Zusanli (ST36) and Baihui (GV20) improved cognitive performance, reduced hippocampal neuronal degeneration, elevated cerebrospinal fluid dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and decreased Aβ42 levels. EA downregulated hippocampal RAGE, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), upregulated LRP1 and apolipoprotein E (ApoE), promoting Aβ clearance. NF-κB expression remained unchanged, suggesting alternative anti-inflammatory pathways. Thus, EA offers a promising non-pharmacological treatment for ARCI.