ABSTRACT
Astrocytes are the most abundant cells in the central nervous system, which has been demonstrated to be one of the targets for the treatment of ischemic stroke. Many studies have confirmed that acupuncture can effectively regulate astrocyte activity in ischemic stroke through these approaches: repairing astrocyte morphology structure, regu-lating energy metabolism, inhibiting excitotoxicity, inhibiting inflammation response and promoting nerve regeneration. In this paper, the authors summarized the relationship between astrocyte and ischemic stroke, and discussed the mechanisms of acupuncture therapy underlying improvement of ischemic stroke. Additionally, the authors also put forward some suggestions about future researches on acupuncture in ischemic stroke.
ABSTRACT
Electroacupuncture preconditioning can alleviate the nerve defect after cerebral ischemia injury, induce cerebral ischemic tolerance and exert the certain protective effect on brain, which may be involved in regulating endocannabinoid system, inhibiting exitotoxicity, inhibiting oxidative stress, inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress, inhibiting inflammatory response, protecting blood-brain barrier, inhibiting apoptosis and regulating autophagy, etc.