Olfactory three needle regulates the proliferation of olfactory bulb neural stem cells and ameliorates brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage by regulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

BACKGROUND: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious cerebrovascular emergency. The incidence of SAH and hazard ratio of death increase with age.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to observe the effects and potential mechanisms of olfactory three needle (OTN) on cognitive impairment, neuronal activity, and neural stem cell differentiation in SAH rats.

METHODS: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: Sham, SAH group, SAH + Nimodipine (NMP) group, and SAH + OTN group. The rats in the SAH + OTN group received the OTN electroacupuncture treatment. For treatment with recombinant DKK1 (a Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor), mice were injected with DKK1.

RESULTS: Our results found that OTN improved cognitive impairment and hippocampal neuron damage in SAH rats. Furthermore, OTN promoted the proliferation of neural stem cells in SAH rats. Mechanistically, OTN activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in SAH rats, as indicated by the increased expression levels of Wnt1, β-Catenin, LMNB1, and p -GSK-3β. DKK1 reversed the improvement effect of OTN on cognitive impairment and neuronal damage in SAH rats. Meanwhile, DKK1 blocked the promoting effect of OTN on the proliferation of NSCs in SAH rats.

CONCLUSIONS: OTN electroacupuncture may be an effective therapeutic strategy for SAH.