Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on the expression of nuclear transcription factors κB(NF-κB) and Tau protein and content of amyloid(Aβ) in diabetic rats with cognitive impairment

so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of learning-memory ability. Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control(n=9)

model(n=9) and EA(n=9) groups. The diabetic mellitus model was established by feeding the rats with high fat and high sugar for 1 month and intraperitoneal injection of STZ(25 mg·kg

(-1)

·d(-1)·d

(-1)

) for 2 days. EA was applied to “Zusanli”(ST36) and “Neiting”(ST44) for 20 min

alternatively on both side every day

and “Yishu”(EX-B3) was stimulated by twirling the acupuncture needle with uniform reinforcing-reducing method for 1 min

followed by retaining it for 20 min. The treatment was conducted 6 times a week for 4 weeks. The learning-memory ability was evaluated by using Morris water maze swimming test. The blood glucose level was randomly detected by using a glucometer

the content of Aβ1-42 in the hippocampal tissue was detected by ELISA

and the relative expression levels of hippocampal Tau and NF-κB p65 proteins and mRNAs were determined by Western blot and fluorescence quantitative real-time PCR

separately. Results After modeling

the blood glucose

escape latency

Aβ1-42 content and the expression levels of Tau and NF-κB p65 proteins and mRNAs in the model group were significantly increased(P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05) in comparison with the normal control group. Following EA intervention

the modeling induced increase of blood glucose

escape latency

Aβ1-42 content and the expression levels of Tau and NF-κB p65 proteins and mRNAs were reversed(P

<

0.05

P

<

0.01). Conclusion EA can improve the learning-memory ability in rats with diabetic cognitive impairment

which may be related to its function in down-regulating the levels of hippocampal Aβ1-42

Tau and NF-κB proteins.