Effects of Electroacupuncture at Baihui and Shenting Acupoints on Learning and Memory Ability and Expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A Receptor in Rats with Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

@#Objective To explore the effect of electroacupuncture at Baihui (DU20) and Shenting (DU24) acupoints on learning and memory ability in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R), and the potential mechanisms. Methods A total of 90 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=18) and operation group (n=72). The MCAO/R model was established by suture method in the operation group. Finally, 54 qualified rats of the operation group were randomly divided into ischemia group (n=18), electroacupuncture group (n=18) and non-acupoint group (n=18). The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Baihui (DU20) and Shenting (DU24) for 14 days. The cerebral infarction volume was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The learning and memory ability was tested by Morris water maze. The protein expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A (5-HT1A) receptor was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results There was no significant difference in the cerebral infarction volume among three groups before intervention (F=1.678, P>0.05). Compared with the ischemia group and the non-acupoint group, the cerebral infarction volume signif-icantly reduced (P<0.001);the latency significantly shortened (P<0.001) and the times crossing the platform decreased (P<0.05);the expres-sion of 5-HT1A receptor decreased in the left hippocampus (P<0.05) in the electroacupuncture group after intervention. There was no signifi-cant difference in all the indices between the non-acupoint group and the ischemia group after intervention (P>0.05). Conclusion Electroacu-puncture at Baihui (DU20) and Shenting (DU24) could effectively increase the learning and memory ability of MCAO/R rats, which might relate with inhibiting the expression of 5-HT1A receptor in hippocampus.