A Study On Mechanisms Of Protective Function Of Cluster Acupuncture On Scalp Points On Neurological Damage And Cerebral Edema Of Early Stage Of Cerebral Ischemic Reperfution In Rats

Cerebral edema is one of the most common seen and important pathologic changes and complications of Cerebral Ischemic Reperfusion(CIR)injury.So it is especially important to explore the mechanism of genesis and development of cerebral edema during the treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease.With years of search,the brain-protect function of acupuncture has been revealed and accepted,but the mechanisms of different methods still need to be explored.Objective:To observe the influence and changing laws of BBB permeability and secondary cerebral edema treating by cluster acupuncture on scalp points(CASP)in CIR rats,and try to reveal the mechanism of CASP in treating ischemic cerebral edema.Methods:Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)method using a monofilament thread in rats. Mate Wistar rats were divided randomly into three groups:sham group,model group,and CASP group;each group was separated into 6h,1d,2d,3d,5d after reperfusion as subgroup for investigation.(1)The nervous function deficits were evaluated in rats;(2)HE staining and electron microscope were used to observe the changes of histomorphology and synapse;(3)The brain water content and EB content were calculated to observe the influence of CASP;(4)The expression of MMP-9 and AQP₄ protein in CIR rats were measured by immunohistochemical method respectively and the influence of the expression by CASP was observed.Results:(1)After CIR in each subgroup of model group,compared with sham group,there were significant differences in nervous function deficits,synapse amount,brain water and EB content,expression of MMP-9 and AQP₄;(2) Neurological deficit scores in CASP group were significantly lower than the ones of model group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);(3)The results of HE staining showed that to compared with model group,the tumefaction of nerve cells and edema of stroma have been alleviated,and the amount of neurons and new capillaries have been increased in CASP group;Electron microscope results indicated that the cerebral ultrastructure was significantly meliorated in CASP group.There were plenty of golgicomplexes and more synaptic vesicles in neuron,the structure of mitochondrion and other cell organs were intact in rats of CASP group;(4) Compared with model group,the brain water and EB content have been significantly reduced in CASP group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);(5)Immunohistochemistry results indicated that compared with model group,the expression of MMP-9 has been significantly reduced and that of AQP₄ has been significantly increased in CASP group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusions:(1)CASP method can significantly reduce neurological deficit scores and improve nervous function to protect brain function.(2)CASP method can promote the repair of damaged neurons and the hyperplasia of capillaries and neuroglia cells,improve neural ultrastructure to embody its plasticity of nerves.(3)CASP method can increase synapse amount and enhance synaptic transmission.(4)CASP method can decrease the level of EB,water content and MMP-9 expression,regulate AQP₄ expression to reduce BBB permeability to prevent cerebral edema.(5)Through reducing cerebral edema,CASP method can save and protect damaged neurons,improve nervous function at early stage of CIR.