The Effects Of Electroacupuncture On The Microcirculation And The Expression Of Caspase-3 And NT-3 In The Hippocampal CA1 Region In Focal Cerebral Ischemia Rats

Object: To investigate the mechanism of acupuncture on cerebral ischemic diseases and the best treating time, we studied the microcirculatory blood flow and the necrosis, apoptosis, repair and regeneration of neuron in the hippocampal CAl region in normal and focal cerebral ischemia rats after electroacupuncture. Method: Focal cerebral ischemia in rats were produced with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). we observed the real time microcirculatory blood flow with a laser doppler blood flow monitor in the hippocampal CAl region of normal rats after electroacupuncture on Renzhong(DU26), Neiguan (PC6) and Quchi (LI11), Zusanli(ST36). The microcirculatory blood flow, neuron morphological change,and the expression ofNT-3 and caspase-3 were studied in normal and MCAO rats. Results: The microcirculatory blood flow was increased after electroacupuncture on Renzhong, Neiguan in normal rats, and decreased after electroacupuncture on Quchi, Zusanli in normal and MCAO rats. The number of microvessels and death rate of neuron in CAl region was decreased after electroacupuncture. The expression of NT-3 was upgraded, while the expression of caspase-3 shew no remarkable change after electro -acupuncture. Conclusion: Electroacupuncture can affect the microcirculatory blood flow in the hippocampal CAl region in rats, can promote the expression of NT-3, and prevent the neuron damage after MCAO.