ABSTRACT
@#Objective To investigate the effect of p53 protein on the nerve function of rats with acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion by electro-acupuncture pretreatment. Methods A total of 72 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group(n=24),model group(n=24) and electroacupuncture pretreatment group(n=24).Each group was equally divided into two hours and 72 hours subgroups. The neurological behavior was assessed with modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS). HE staining and TUNEL assay were used to observe the injury and cell apoptosis in ischemic brain,and Western blot-ting was used to detect the expression of p-p53(ser392),p53 and microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)II in ischemic area. Results Compared with the model group,the mNSS scores,the injury of brain tissue,the number of TUNEL-positive cells, and the level of p-p53 and LC3II decreased (P<0.05) in the electroacupuncture pretreatment group.Two hours after reperfusion,there was no significant difference in the level of p53 between the model group and the electroacupuncture pretreatment group(P>0.05),however,72 hours after reperfusion,the level of p53 decreased in the electroacupuncture pretreatment group(P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture pretreatment can improve neurological deficit in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury rats,which may be related to the involvement of p53 protein in autophagy and apoptosis.