Effects of Acupuncture on Oxidative Stress Amelioration via Nrf2/ARE-Related Pathways in Alzheimer and Parkinson Diseases

Figure 4

Summary of effect of acupuncture on oxidative stress amelioration via Nrf2/ARE-related pathways. Acupuncture can upregulate the expression of BDNF, PI3K/Akt, and PKC and inhibit GSK-3β pathway, further increasing the nuclear translocation, accumulation, and transactivation of Nrf2. In addition, acupuncture can inhibit NF-κB translocate into the nucleus, hence downregulating the expression of proinflammatory genes. Moreover, acupuncture can promote mitochondria biogenesis. Interestingly, effect of acupuncture on p38 MAPK pathway has a dual characteristic. BDNF: brain-derived neurotrophic factor; TrkB: tropomyosin-related kinase receptor type B; p75 ^NTR: p75 neurotrophin receptor; PI3K: phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase; Akt: protein kinase B; GSK-3β : glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta; Nrf2: nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2; ARE: antioxidant response element; PKC: protein kinase C; c-Src: cellular src; CK2: casein kinase 2; MAPK: mitogen-activated protein kinase; Keap1: kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1; IκB : NF-κB inhibitor; NF-κB: nuclear factor kappa B.