The Effects Of Electro-Acupuncturing Zusanli And Neiguan On Neural Function And Expression Of GAP-43 Of Cerebral Infarction Rats

Objective:To investigate the effects of electro-acupuncture on Zusanli (ST36) and Neiguan (PC6) on neurological function and the expression of positive cells of the nerve growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) around the infarct area of cerebral infarction, thereby to intensively reveal the effects and mechanism of eletro-acupuncture on neuronal plasticity of cerebral infarction rats.Methods:The 60 healthy adult male SD rats were randomly divided in to group A (sham operation group), group B (acupuncture group) and group C (non-acupuncture group). Each group was randomly divided into 3 subgroups (1-day subgroup,7-day subgroup and 14-day subgroup) and there were 6 rats in each subgroup of group A, but 7 in that of B and C groups. Cerebral ischemic model was established by middle cerebral artery obstruction (MCAO) with embolism of nylon wire. The rats of group B were given electro-acupuncture treatment 20 minutes each day on the acupoints of Zusanli (ST36) and Neiguan (PC6), while group C and group A were just tied up and fixed at the fixed time. Neurological function and limb motor function for each group rats at 1st day,7th day and 14th day was assessed respectively by means of Bederson score classification and balance test. The brain tissue of rats in each group according to previously distribution were removed after fixation of perfusion through the left ventricle at 1st day,7th day,14th day and detected the changes of the expression of the positive cells of GAP-43 around cerebral infarction area by immunohistochemistry technique.Results:â‘ The data showed that there was no significant distinction about the scores of nerve function and balance test between B and C groups(P>0.05) at the 1stday, but the scores was lower than that of group C (P<0.05) in 7th day and 14th day;â‘¡The expression of the positive cells of GAP-43 around cerebral infarction areas showed no significant distinction among 3 groups at 1st day(P>0.05), however the expression level of GAP-43 around cerebral infarction area were much more than that of group C (P<0.01) in 7th day and 14th day.Conclusions:â‘ Electro-acupuncture on Zusanli (ST36) and Neiguan (PC6) in rats with cerebral infarction can significantly improve the neural deficits and histopathology of injury area, promote the proliferation, regeneration and functional maintenance of the neuronal cell and plasticity of neurological function in the area of injury brain.â‘¡echanism of brain-neuronal plasticity of acupuncture may be associated with the up-regulation of GAP-43 expressions and prolongation the time of high level expressions around ischemic region.