Electro-acupuncture treatment inhibits the inflammatory response by regulating ?? T and Treg cells in ischemic stroke

Background: Electro-acupuncture (EA) is an effective and safe treatment for ischemic stroke. It is not only capable of reducing cerebral damage but also alleviating intestinal inflammation. However, its mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Methods: All rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: the SHAM group, the MCAO group, and the MEA (MCAO+EA) group. Ischemic-reperfusion (I/R) injury was induced by MCAO surgery. Rats in the MEA group were treated with EA stimulation in the "Baihui" acupoint (1 mA, 2/15 Hz, 20 min for each time). The Real-time (RT)-qPCR was used to evaluate the mRNA expression of inflammation factors in the ischemic brain and the small intestine after I/R injury. In addition, our research evaluated the effects of EA on regulatory T cells (Tregs) and gamma delta T cells in the small intestine and brain via Flow cytometry analysis. Finally, we applied CM-Dil and CFSE injection and explored the potential connections of T cells between the ischemic hemisphere and the small intestine. Results: Our results suggested that EA treatment could significantly reduce the inflammation response in the ischemic brain and small intestine 3 days after I/R injury in rats. To be specific, EA increased the percentage of Tregs in the brain and the small intestine and decreased intestinal and cerebral gamma delta T cells. Concomitantly, after EA treatment, the percentage of cerebral CD3+TCR gamma delta+CFSE+ cells dropped from 12.06% to 6.52% compared with the MCAO group. Conclusions: These findings revealed that EA could regulate the Tregs and gamma delta T cells in the ischemic brain and the small intestine, which indicated its effect on inhibiting inflammation. And, EA could inhibit the mobilization of intestinal T cells, which may contribute to the protection of EA after ischemic stroke.