Scalp acupuncture attenuates brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage in rats by inhibiting necroptosis

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to explore the effects and mechanisms of scalp acupuncture on necroptosis and inflammatory injury after intracerebral hemorrhage in rats. Methods A total of 168 male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into the sham operation group, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) group, scalp acupuncture group, and Nec-1 group. The Garcia score was used to evaluate neurological function. The occurrence of necroptosis after ICH was observed by propidium iodide staining, immunofluorescence co-localization, and transmission electron microscopy. The protein expression of RIP1, RIP3, and MLKL was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis, and the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Brain water content was measured by the dry wet weight method. Results The results showed that scalp acupuncture could alleviate neurologic deficits, inhibit the occurrence of necroptosis, decrease the expression of RIP1, RIP3, and MLKL, reduce the release of TNF-α and IL-1β, and reduce brain edema. This effect was similar to the effect of the necroptosis-specific inhibitor Nec-1. Conclusion Our study showed that scalp acupuncture may inhibit RIP1/RIP3/MLKL-mediated necroptosis in rats following ICH. In addition, the anti-inflammatory effect and the reduction of brain edema by acupuncture after ICH may be achieved partly through the inhibition of necroptosis.