Effect of electroacupuncture combined with sulforaphane in the treatment of sarcopenia in SAMP8 mice

Skeletal muscles mitochondrial dysfunction is the main cause of sarcopenia. Both electroacupuncture (EA) and sulforaphane (SFN) have been shown to improve oxidative stress and inflammation levels to maintain mitochondrial function, but the effects and mechanisms of their combination on sarcopenia are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of EA combined with SFN on sarcopenia.

SAMP8 mice were used and intervened with EA or SFN, respectively, and Masson and HE staining were used to observe pathological changes in skeletal muscle tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to detect tissue mitochondrial changes. TUNEL staining was used to assess apoptosis. The biochemical and molecular content was tested by ELISA, western blot, and qRT-PCR.

The results showed that oxidative stress, apoptosis, and IL-6, TNF-α, Atrogin-1, and MuRF1 levels in skeletal muscles cells were suppressed and mitochondrial damage was repaired after EA or SFN intervention. In addition, we found that the above changes were associated with the activation of the AMPK/Sirt1/PGC-1α pathway in skeletal muscle tissues, and the promotion effect of combined EA and SFN intervention was more significant.

In conclusion, this study found that EA combined with SFN mediated the repair of mitochondrial damage through activation of the AMPK/Sirt1/PGC-1α pathway, thereby alleviating skeletal muscles morphology and function in sarcopenia. This study combines EA with SFN, which not only broadens the use of electroacupuncture and SFN but also provides a scientific experimental basis for the treatment of sarcopenia.v