Effect of Electroacupuncture on Learning and Memory in Vascular Dementia Rats and Its Mechanism / 广州中医药大学学报

ABSTRACT

【Objective】 To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) onlearning and memoryin vascular dementia (VD) rats andto explore its possible therapeutic mechanism.【Methods】Fifty specific pathogenfree(SPF) adult rats were randomizedintofour groups.Except the 8 rats in the pseudo-operation group(group A),the other 42 rats were induced cerebral ischemia by four-vessel occlusion method.Then the model rats were randomized into model group (group B),EAgroup(group C) and nimotop group(group D).Groups Aand B were fed with the same forage and received no medication.Group Creceived EAonthe acupoints of Baihui,Geshu,Pishu and Shenshu,and EAwas set in continuous wave with the frequency being 150Hz,once per day and lasting 15 consecutive days.Group Dreceived nimotop 12mg/kg,qd,for 15 consecutive days.After 15-day treatment,the learning and memory abilities of the rats were observed by Morris water test,the plasma carbon monoxide(CO) level was detected by double-wavelength spectrophotometer,and brain nitric oxide(NO) content was examined byspectrophotometry-colorimetry.【Results】The model rats had obvious disorders of learningand memory,their escapelatency was prolonged,thetimes swimmingacross the platforminthe original quadrant did not differ fromthose inthe other three quadrants,and plasma COand cerebral NOlevels were obviouslyincreased.In EAgroup,escapelatency was shortened,thetimes swimmingacrossthe platform inthe original quadrant were more thanthose inthe other three quadrants,and plasma COand cerebral NOlevels were obviously decreased(P