Available online 10 May 2022

To analyze the effects of cluster needling at scalp acupoints (CNSA) on behavioral performance and expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the hippocampus of rats with schizophrenia, and therefore, to shed light on the mechanism of action of CNSA in attenuating schizophrenia.

Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control, model, risperidone, and CNSA groups (9 rats per group). The schizophrenia model was prepared by injecting 0.1 mg/mL dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) for 14 consecutive days. Subsequently, rats in the risperidone and CNSA groups were subjected to the following therapy for 14 consecutive days: (1) Risperidone group: intragastric administration of risperidone suspension (0.4 mg/kg); (2) CNSA group: the “GV 20″ “Qiándĭng (前顶GV 21) ” “Shéntíng (神庭GV 24) ” “Xìnhuì (囟会 GV 22) ” “Tōngtiān (通天BL 7) ” “Luòquè (络却BL 8) ” “Qūchā (曲差BL 4) ” and “Wŭchù (五处 BL 5) ” acupoints were selected for needle positioning. Following 14-day intervention period, the Morris water maze experiment and open field experiment were performed. Finally, hippocampal tissue specimens were collected and SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px expression levels were measured by ELISA.

(1) Morris water maze experiment: Following the 14-day model construction period, the model, risperidone, and CNSA groups showed a significant increase in escape latency (all P < 0.05) and a significant decrease in the number of platform crossings (all P < 0.05) compared with the control group, indicating successful induction of schizophrenia in the rat model. At the end of the intervention period (28d), the risperidone and CNSA groups showed a significant decrease in escape latency (both P < 0.05), and the CNSA group showed a significant increase in the number of platform crossings (P < 0.05) compared with the model group. (2) Open field experiment: At 14d, the model, risperidone and CNSA groups exhibited a significant decrease in the travelled distance and amount of time spent in the central zone (all P < 0.05) compared with the control group (all P < 0.05). At 28d, the risperidone and CNSA groups showed a significant increase in the travelled distance and percentage of time spent in the central zone (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (3) Antioxidant enzyme expression: At 28d, the model group exhibited significant decreases in the hippocampal SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px levels, compared with the control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.001).

CNSA enabled the attenuation of cognitive impairment and enhancement of memory and learning abilities in the rat model of schizophrenia, plausibly through inhibition of the expression of oxidative stress factors in the hippocampus.

Cluster needling at scalp acupoints

Schizophrenia

Cognitive impairment

Hippocampus

Oxidative stress

© 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of World Journal of Acupuncture Moxibustion House.