Electroacupuncture Stimulation Suppresses Postoperative Inflammatory Response and Hippocampal Neuronal Injury

Figures

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  Figure 1. The rat model of POCD after femoral fracture surgery. The femur was fractured, and a screw was inserted into the canal.

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  Figure 2. Comparisons of cognitive function performance of rats among different groups. The rats were divided into the mock group, anaesthesia group, surgery group, and surgery+MTN group. The cognitive function performance was evaluated using open field test ((a) score) and Morris water-maze test ((b) all distance, (c) time in central area, and (d) ration of distance). To compare the cognitive function performance among groups, one-way ANOVA was used in combination with Tukey's post hoc test. ∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.01, ∗∗∗P < 0.001, and∗∗∗∗P < 0.0001.

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  Figure 3. Comparisons of histological morphology in the hippocampus among different groups. The rats were divided into the mock group, anaesthesia group, surgery group, and surgery+MTN group. The HE staining sections were observed under the light microscopy ((a) 40x, (b) 200x).

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  Figure 4. The comparison of TUNEL-positive cells in the hippocampus among different groups. The rats were divided into the mock group, anaesthesia group, surgery group, and surgery+MTN group. The percentage of TUNEL-positive cells was calculated. To compare the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells among groups, one-way ANOVA was used in combination with Tukey's post hoc test. ∗ P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.01, ∗∗∗P < 0.001, and∗∗∗∗P < 0.0001.

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  Figure 5. Comparisons of expression level of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α genes in hippocampus and serum concentration of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α among different groups. The rats were divided into mock group, anaesthesia group, surgery group and surgery+MTN group. The mRNA expression level was determined by qPCR using β-actin as the internal control (a). The serum concentration was measured by ELISA (b). To compare the gene expression level and serum protein concentration among groups, one-way ANOVA was used in combination with Tukey's post hoc test. ∗P < 0.05, ∗∗P < 0.01, ∗∗∗P < 0.001, and∗∗∗∗P < 0.0001.

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  Figure 6. The protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the hippocampus were detected by western blotting.