Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)treatment on the level of hippocampal amyloidbeta peptide(Aβ)and its key transport receptor low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1(LRP 1)in APP/PS 1transgenic mice so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods Twenty-four male APP/PS 1transgenic mice were equally and randomly divided into model group and EA treatment group

and 12C57BL/6mice were used as the normal control group.EA(1Hz/50 Hz

0.3mA)was applied to"Baihui"(GV 20)and"Yongquan"(KI 1)for15min

once every other day for 6weeks.The learning-memory ability was detected by using Morris water maze testing

left hippocampal Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 contents were assayed by ELISA

and right hippocampal LRP 1expression was detected using Western blot(WB).Results Results of Morris water maze test showed no significant differences among the three groups in the escape latency

the times of the platform-site crossovers

the time spent in the target platform quadrant(P>0.05).Compared with the model group

the moderately increased escape latency had a decreasing tendency in the EA treatment group.ELISA assaying showed that hippocampal Aβ1-42

Aβ1-40

and ratio of Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 of the model group were significantly higher than those of the normal control group(P<0.01).After EA intervention

the increased Aβ1-42

Aβ1-40

and ratio of Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 were remarkably down-regulated in the EA treatment group(P<0.01).WB detection displayed that the right hippocampal LRP 1expression level of the model group was markedly lower than that of the normal control group(P<0.05).After EA treatment

LRP 1expression level was moderately up-regulated but without significant difference between the model and EA treatment groups(P>0.05).Conclusion EA intervention can lower the level of hippocampal Aβin APP/PS 1transgenic mice

but its effects on Aβtransport receptor LRP 1expression and learning-memory ability need being confirmed further.