The Effect of Skull Acupuncture on Oxidative Stress in Rats with Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of skull acupuncture on cerebral infarct volume and plasma SOD activity and MDA and NO contents. Method Forty-eight male SPF-grade SD rats were randomized into sham operation, model and skull acupuncture groups. A rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was made by intraluminal thread occlusion. Rat nerve function was assessed by Zea Longa neurological function scoring. Rat cerebral infarct volume was measured by TTC staining. Plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) contents were measured by colorimetry. Result Rat neurobehavioral score was significantly lower on day 1, 3 and 7 in the model group than in the sham operation group (P<0.01). TTC measurement showed that cerebral infarct volume was significantly smaller in the skull acupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.01). Plasma SOD activity was lower and MDA and NO contents were higher in the model group than in the sham operation group (all P<0.01). Plasma SOD activity increased and MDA and NO contents decreased after skull acupuncture treatment compared with the model group (all P<0.01). Conclusion Skull acupuncture has a protective effect against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and can increase plasma SOD activity and decrease plasma MDA and NO contents in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.