Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15(2), 3234-3252; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms15023234
The Neuroprotective Role of Acupuncture and Activation of the BDNF Signaling Pathway
1
College of acupuncture, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Minhou Shangjie, Fuzhou 350122, Fujian, China
2
Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
3
College of pharmacy, Department of pharmaceutical Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 28 November 2013 / Revised: 8 February 2014 / Accepted: 10 February 2014 / Published: 21 February 2014
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathology and Treatment of Central Nervous System Diseases)
Abstract
Recent studies have been conducted to examine the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture in many neurological disorders. Although the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture has been linked to changes in signaling pathways, accumulating evidence suggest the participation of endogenous biological mediators, such as the neurotrophin (NT) family of proteins, specifically, the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Accordingly, acupuncture can inhibit neurodegeneration via expression and activation of BDNF. Moreover, recent studies have reported that acupuncture can increase ATP levels at local stimulated points. We have also demonstrated that acupuncture could activate monocytes and increase the expression of BDNF via the stimulation of ATP. The purpose of this article is to review the recent findings and ongoing studies on the neuroprotective roles of acupuncture and therapeutic implications of acupuncture-induced activation of BDNF and its signaling pathway. View Full-Text
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 3.0).
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Lin, D.; De La Pena, I.; Lin, L.; Zhou, S.-F.; Borlongan, C.V.; Cao, C. The Neuroprotective Role of Acupuncture and Activation of the BDNF Signaling Pathway. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15, 3234-3252.
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