Effects of electroacupuncture on neural function and the expression of inflammation-related proteins NLRP3/caspase-1 in rats with ischemic stroke

This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at the Baihui and Dazhui acupoints in a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Ninety-six male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups ( n = 24 per group): Sham, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), MCAO+EA, and MCAO+MCC950. The MCAO model was induced using filament embolization. Neurological function was assessed using Zea Longa scores on days 1 and 7 posttreatment, while cerebral infarction volume was measured using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Gene expression levels of NLRP3 and GSDMD were quantified by RT-qPCR, and protein expressions of NLRP3, GSDMD, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 were evaluated via Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, and ELISA. On day 1, compared with the MCAO group, the MCAO+EA and MCAO+MCC950 groups exhibited significantly reduced mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3 and GSDMD ( P < 0.05), as well as decreased levels of caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 ( P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in neurological deficit scores or cerebral infarction volume. By day 7, both the MCAO+EA and MCAO+MCC950 groups showed significant improvements in neurological function ( P < 0.05), reductions in cerebral infarction volume ( P < 0.05), and further decreases in the expression of NLRP3, GSDMD, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 ( P < 0.05). EA at the Baihui and Dazhui acupoints alleviates neurological deficits in ischemic stroke rats by inhibiting the NLRP3/caspase-1 inflammatory pathway and reducing the expression of apoptosis-related proteins such as NLRP3, GSDMD, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18.