Skip to main content
. 2022 Oct 13;16:1020644. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1020644

FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 4

The role of NMDA receptors in EA stimulation of the trigeminal nerve to promote BBB opening and the effect on TJ occludin. (A) NR1 protein expression induced by EA at different head acupoints; Compared to the control group, NR1 protein expression was increased in all the EA groups, but the increase was most significant in the GV26 + ION group, *P < 0.05, GV26 + ION point group vs. control group, n = 6/group. (B) Occludin protein expression induced by EA at different head acupoints; occludin protein expression was decreased in the GV20 + GV26 group and GV26 + ION group, *P < 0.05, GV26 + ION point group vs. control group, P > 0.05, control group vs. EX-HN6 group, n = 6/group. (C) Shows the degree of brain EB penetration of each group under naked eye observation. (D) When NMDA receptor blocker MK-801 was used before EA of the trigeminal nerve, EB concentration in the cerebral cortex was decreased; *P < 0.05, GV26 + ION point group vs. GV26 + ION point + MK-801 group, n = 6/group. (E) The cerebral cortex EB and c-Fos fluorescence expression of the different groups, EA GV26 + ION group cerebral cortex EB and c-Fos. (F) EA GV26 + ION group NR1 protein expression was significantly decreased after using MK-801, **P < 0.01, GV26 + ION point group vs. GV26 + ION point + MK-801 group, n = 6/group. (G) EA GV26 + ION group cerebral cortex NR1 fluorescence expression(green, surrounding neuronal cytosol) was significantly decreased after treatment with MK-801 (yellow arrows). (H) EA GV26 + ION group occludin protein expression was significantly increased after treatment with MK-801, ***P < 0.001, GV26 + ION point group vs. GV26 + ION point + MK-801 group, n = 6/group. (I) The fluorescence continuity of occludin protein expression (green color, vascular morphology of brain endothelial cells) was more complete in the EA GV26 + ION group after the use of MK-801 (yellow arrows).