Acupuncture improves locomotor function by enhancing GABA receptor expression in transient focal cerebral ischemia rats
Authors: Fang Li
Jing-Wen Yang
Yan Cao
Si-Qi Du
Qian Xu
Cun-Zhi Liu
Lin-Peng Wang
Li-Wen Zhang
Xiang-Hong Zeng
Journal: Neuroscience letters (2015)
Discipline: NEUROSCIENCE & BEHAVIOR
Keywords: Acupuncture; GABA; GABA receptor; MCAO.
Affiliations: Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China., Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China; Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jingshi Street, Lixia District, Jinan 250014, China., Acupuncture and Moxibustion Department, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Capital Medical University, 23 Meishuguanhou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100010, China. Electronic address: .

Abstract:  Stroke is the major cause of long-term disability among adults. Recent studies have found that GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission plays a vital role in ameliorate locomotor damage after ischemic injury. Acupuncture has been widely used to improve locomotor function. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study is designed to investigate whether GABA and GABA receptors are involved in the mechanism underlying acupuncture treatment in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). One week after acupuncture at JiaJi acupoint, the locomotor function and infarct volumes were tested. Then level of GABA and the expressions of GABAAγ2 and GABABR2 were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Compared with normal group, GABAAγ2 and GABABR2 expressions were decreased in striatum and spinal cord of the MCAO group. After acupuncture, the expressions of the two receptors were increased, but levels of GABA and trafficking protein, kinesin binding 1 (TRAK1), which plays a role in the intracellular transport of GABA receptors, were unchanged. The present study suggests that acupuncture could reverse locomotor function by modulating the expressions of GABA receptors in MCAO rats. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 Fig 3.  B16 and A375 cells were transfected with miR-NC or miR-18b mimic, respectively. (A and B) Cell cycle distribution was determined using flow cytometry . ![file] Color-coded panels relate to Fig 4A of [Li et al (2014)] .  miR-22 inhibited E2-induced cell cycle progression in RL95-2 and Ishikawa cells. (A) Cell cycle assay was performed to investigate the effect of miR-22 on E2-induced cell cycle progression in RL95-2 and Ishikawa cells. ![file] , 
 Fig 6F.  Western blot analysis was conducted to examine the protein levels of HIF-1u03b1 in the tumor xenograft. ![file] For comparison, Fig 4C from [Ma et al (2017)] .  MCF7 cells were transfected with ERu03b1u2011specific siRNA, and western blot analysis was used to evaluate the protein expression of ERu03b1. More manifestations are linked in that thread. ![] , 
 Retracted [30 July 2021] . ----------------------- Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editors attention by a concerned reader that certain of the flow cytometric data shown in Fig. 3, and western blotting assay data shown in Fig. 6F, were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in other articles by different authors. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article had already been published elsewhere, or were already under consideration for publication, prior to its submission to *Oncology Reports*, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive any reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. ,