Dynamic Observation of the Effect of Acupuncture on ROCKExpression in A Rat Model of Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo obtain data related to various periods of acupuncture treatment for rat focal ischemia and reperfusion and infer the optimal time point of acupuncture treatment by examining cerebral ROCK expression on the ischemic side in different periods of acupuncture for rats with focal ischemia and reperfusion.MethodOne hundred andeighty male adult Wistar rats were enrolled and randomly allocated to blank, sham operation, model and acupuncture groups. The model and acupuncture groups were separately divided into 5 subgroups the 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 2 w subgroups. There were atotal of 12 groups, 15 rats each. An animal model of focal cerebral ischemia was made using a thread occlusion method for obstructing rat right middle cerebral artery. The carotid artery was only separated in the sham operation. Materials were taken in the blank and sham operation groups on day 2 after model making. Materials were taken for examination in every subgroup of the model group at 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours and 2 weeks after model making. Materials were taken for examination after acupuncture at Baihui(GV20), Dazhui(GV14)and Zusanli (ST36)in every subgroup of the acupuncture group at 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours and 2 weeks after model making.ResultAcupuncture markedly improved neurological deficits in rats with cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Areduction in the neurological deficit score was largest in the 6 h acupuncture group and there was a statistically significant difference compared with the other acupuncture groups (24 h, 48 h and 72 h) (P0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in ROCK expression between the model (ischemia-reperfusion 6 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h) and blank groups (P<0.05). ROCK expressionreached the peak value at 6 hours after ischemia and reperfusion. There was a statistically significant point-to-point difference in ROCK expression between the acupuncture (ischemia-reperfusion 6 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h) and model (ischemia-reperfusion 6h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h) groups (P<0.05). ROCK expression was down-regulated most markedly in the ischemia-reperfusion 6 h acupuncture group.Conclusion Acupuncture has an inhibitory effect on Rho/Rock in a rat model of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Six hours after ischemia and reperfusion is the optimal time point of acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture at that time can protect and improve post-ischemic injured brain tissue to the largest extent.