Objective To observe the effect of cluster needling of scalp points on nuclear transcription factor kappa B p65(NF-κB p65)

NF-κB inhibitory protein α(IKBα)

β secretase 1(BACE1)

beta-amyloid protein(Aβ) and hippocampal morphology in Alzheimer's disease(AD) rats

so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improvement of AD. Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operation

model

clustering acupuncture and medication groups

with 12 trats in each group. AD model was induced by Aβ_(1-42) injection into bilateral hippocampus. In the clustering acupuncture group

“Baihui”(DU20) and 1 mm on left and right sides of DU20 were needled for 30 min

once daily for 14 d. Rats of the medication group were given donepezil hydrochloride(0.5 mg·kg

(-1)

·d(-1)·d

(-1)

) intragastric perfusion once a day for 14 d. Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the cognitive function of rats. HE staining was used to observe the structure changes of hippocampal tissue. The expressions of NF-κB p65

IKBα and BACE1 in hippocampus were detected by Western blot. ELISA was used to detect the levels of Aβ in hippocampus and serum of rats. Results Compared with sham operation group

the escape latency of Morris water maze test in the model group was prolonged

the number of crossing the original platform was decreased(P

<

0.01)

the protein expressions of NF-κB p65 and BACE1 in hippocampus

and the levels of Aβ in hippocampus and serum of AD rats were increased(P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05)

while the expression of IKBα protein was decreased(P

<

0.01). Compared with the model group

the escape latency of Morris water maze test was shortened and the number of crossing the original platform was increased in the clustering acupuncture and medication groups(P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05)

and the protein expressions of NF-κB p65 and BACE1 in hippocampus

the levels of Aβ in hippocampus and serum were decreased(P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05)

while the expression of IKBα protein was increased(P

<

0.01). In comparison of the medication group

the protein expressions of NF-κB p65 and IKBα was lower in the clustering acupuncture group(P

<

0.05). HE staining showed that cells in the hippocampus were arranged loosely and disordered

some cytoplasm was hyperchromatic

nucleus was pyknotic

inflammatory cells were infiltrated in the model group

which were relatively milder in the clustering acupuncture and medication groups. Conclusion Cluster needling at scalp points may improve the cognitive impairment in AD rats by reducing inflammatory infiltration in hippocampus

regulating the expressions of NF-κB p65

IKBα and BACE1

and inhibiting the aggregation of Aβ.