ABSTRACT
@#Objective To explore the effect of electroacupuncture on activation of microglia in peri-infarct cortex after cerebral isch-emia-reperfusion in rats. Methods 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=12), model group (n=12) and electroacupuncture group (n=12). The latter two groups were occluded the left middle cerebral arteries with modified Longa's method for 2 hours and reperfused. The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints for 3 days. The nerve cell damage in peri-infarct cortex was observed with HE staining, while the expression of ED1 was determined with immunohisto-chemical staining, and the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and IL-6 were determined with Western blotting. Results The neurological deficits score improved significantly in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05), with less nerve cell dam-age, less number of ED1 positive microglia (P<0.05) and less levels of TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-6 (P<0.05), compared with the model group. Conclusion The electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints can protect brain from ischemia-reperfusion injury, which might be associated with inhibiting the microglial activation and proinflammatory response in peri-infarct cortex.
ABSTRACT
@#Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints on the ultrastructural structure of cortical neurons in peripheral area and the protein expression of caspase- 3, Bcl- 2, Bax in rats with cerebral ischemia- reperfusion injury. Methods 36 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, and electroacupuncture group, with 12 rats in each group. The model group and electroacupuncture group were performed with left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) according to the modified Longa' methods. The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) on the paralyzed limb, for 30 minute. The neurobehavioral scores were recorded before and after treatment. The ultrastructural structure of cortical neurons was observed with transmission electron microscope (TEM). The protein expression of caspase- 3, Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by Western blotting technique. Results The neurobehavioral score was lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the chromatin of neurons was even relatively, and the number of mitochondria increased. The expression of Bcl-2 was higher and the expression of caspase-3 and Bax was lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints can inhibit the neurons apoptosis in peripheral area through mitochondria-caspase-3 pathway.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints on the ultra-structural structure of cortical neurons in peripheral area and the protein expression of caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax in rats with cerebral isch-emia-reperfusion injury. Methods 36 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, and electroacupuncture group, with 12 rats in each group. The model group and electroacupuncture group were performed with left middle cere-bral artery occlusion (MCAO) according to the modified Longa' methods. The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Qu-chi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) on the paralyzed limb, for 30 minute. The neurobehavioral scores were recorded before and after treatment. The ultrastructural structure of cortical neurons was observed with transmission electron microscope (TEM). The protein expression of cas-pase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by Western blotting technique. Results The neurobehavioral score was lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the chromatin of neurons was even relatively, and the number of mitochondria increased. The expression of Bcl-2 was higher and the expression of caspase-3 and Bax was lower in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints can inhibit the neu-rons apoptosis in peripheral area through mitochondria-caspase-3 pathway.