Speakers

Biography

As an accomplished Assistant Professor specializing in Human Anatomy and Neuroscience, I bring extensive expertise in academic instruction, research, and mentoring. Holding a Ph.D. in Human Anatomy from Harbin Medical University, China, my research centers on traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Nepalgunj Medical College, I am deeply involved in facilitating undergraduate and postgraduate courses while mentoring aspiring students. My skillset encompasses a wide range of laboratory techniques and software applications, and I actively engage with professional societies to contribute to advancing scientific knowledge. My commitment to fostering enriching learning environments underscores my impactful career journey.

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global crisis that impacts adult well-being and cognition. Current interventions fall short of fully restoring the central nervous system post-TBI, necessitating urgent treatments. Electroacupuncture, combining low-frequency pulses with traditional Chinese acupuncture, and metformin, a type-2 diabetes medication, show promise in mitigating neural damage post-TBI. This study explores their collaborative effect on cognitive recovery, myelin regeneration, synaptogenesis, neurogenesis, and microglial suppression.

C57BL/6 male mice were segregated into control, TBI, TBI+E (electroacupuncture), TBI+M (metformin), and TBI+E+M groups. Novel object recognition tests revealed a significantly heightened preference for novel objects in TBI+E and TBI+M mice compared to TBI counterparts with impaired visual memory; TBI+E+M mice recovered to levels similar to uninjured controls. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining exposed tissue defects, a cortical cavity, and disordered cell structure in TBI mice. Immunofluorescence analyses indicated restored MBP-positive myelinated areas in TBI+E+M mice, suggesting partial myelin regeneration. TBI+E+M mice exhibited increased SYN-positive synaptic puncta fluorescence in the cortex and hippocampal CA3 region, with synapse formation reaching healthy control levels in the cortex.

TBI-induced neuroinflammatory IBA1-positive microglia increased, while TBI+E+M reversed microglial numbers to control levels. Western Blot revealed elevated Arg1 and p-AKT levels (M2 markers) in TBI+E+M, implying anti-inflammatory microglial polarization. TBI exhibited increased iNOS and p-ERK1/2 (M1 markers), which were reduced in TBI+E+M. Immunohistochemistry unveiled diminished SOX2-positive neural stem cells and NeuN-positive mature neurons in TBI mice; TBI+E+M restored these, suggesting enhanced neurogenesis. NeuN-positive mature neuron density in SGZ rebounded to control levels in TBI+E+M, indicating substantial recovery.

Combining Electroacupuncture with metformin post-TBI enhances cognitive recovery, promotes myelin and synapse regeneration, and reduces inflammation, providing neuroprotection. This synergistic approach modulates key markers, effectively suppressing secondary inflammation and fostering adult hippocampal neurogenesis- a promising strategy for treating traumatic brain injury.