Abstract:Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at Fengfu,Taichong,and Zusanli points on the levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the corpus striatum of mice with Parkinson's disease (PD), as well as the possible mechanism of electroacupuncture in the treatment of PD.Methods A total of 30 mice were divided into control group,model group,and electroacupuncture group using a random number table,with 10 mice in each group.The mice in the model group and the electroacupuncture group were given intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) at a dose of 30 mg/kg to establish a mouse model of PD,and then the mice in the electroacupuncture group were given electroacupuncture at Fengfu,Taichong,and Zusanli points once a day for 30 minutes each time,for 12 consecutive days,while those in the other two groups were not given any treatment.The pole test and the wire hanging test were used to observe behavioral changes;immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression of TH in the corpus striatum;quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of Nrf2,superoxide dismutase (SOD),catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the corpus striatum; Western blotting was used to measure the protein expression levels of TH,Nrf2,and HO-1 in the corpus striatum. Results Compared with the model group, the electroacupuncture group had significant reductions in the time to descend and hanging time (P<0.05),a significant increase in the total distance traveled (P<0.05),dense TH-positive nerve fibers in the corpus striatum of mice,and significant increases in the expression level of TH-positive fibers,the mRNA expression levels of Nrf2,SOD,CAT,and GSH-Px,and the protein expression levels of TH,Nrf2,and HO-1 (P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Fengfu,Taichong,and Zusanli points can improve behavioral disturbance induced by MPTP in PD mice by upregulating the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the corpus striatum,alleviating oxidative stress in PD mice,and increasing the expression of TH-positive fibers in the corpus striatum.