Effect Of Electro-Nape-Acupuncture On Aquaporin4 And Water Content Of Brain After Brain Ischemic Injury In Rats

Objective: To observe the effect of electro-nape-acupuncture and electro- acupuncture on AQP4 and brain water content in cerebral ischemia rats,also compared the differences between electro-nape-acupuncture and electro-acupuncture. To explain the possible mechanism of electro-nape-acupuncture on cerebral edema after cerebral ischemia.Methods: The model of focal cerebral ischemia was made by blocking the middle cerebral artery with monofilament in rats.The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham group(A),model group(B),electro-acupuncture,group(C) and electro-nape-acupuncture group(D). The 4 groups were randomly divided into 6 hours, 1day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, the 4 moment of drowing the material. The nerval function was evaluated with Zealonga grade.The pathological change was observed with optical microscope.The expression of AQP4 was observed with immunohistochemistry method.The changes of weight of brain were calculated according to dry weight and wet weight.Result: (1)The difference of the C group,D group and B group in assessment of nervous function was signifficant at 3d and 5d (P<0.05) , but there was no signifficant difference between group C and group D (P>0.05).(2) Compared with group B,the difference of the C group,D group in the pathological change after MCAO was significant at 3d and 5d (P<0.05) .(3) Compared with group B, the expression of AQP4 and brain water content in the cerebral ischemia rat was signifficant among D and group C at 3d and 5d (P<0.05) ,and the difference was also signifficant between group C and group D at 3d and 5d (P<0.05) . Conclusion:(1) Electro-nape-acupuncture can lighten assessment of nervous function. (2) Electro-nape-acupuncture can decrease brain water content after the cerebral ischemia of rat,also the effect of electro-nape-acupuncture was better then electro-acupuncture.(3) Electro-nape-acupuncture can inhibite the expression of AQP4 in the cerebral ischemia rat, also the effect of electro-nape-acupuncture was better then electro- acupuncture.(4) Electro-nape-acupuncture can protect the brain in the cerebral ischemia rat.