Effects Of Embedding Catgut At Baihui Acupoint On The Ability Of Learning And Memory In Rats With Vascular Dementia

Objective To observe the therapeutic use of embedding catgut at Baihui acupoint on the ability of learning and memory in rats with vascular dementia(VD), select one kind of effective and convenient method in treating VD in clinic and provide the experimental evidence.Methods VD model was established by repeated occlusion and reperfusion of the bilateral common carotid artery plus cutting tail and blood letting.Rats were divided into four groups:sham-operated control group, model control group, electro-acupuncture therapeutic group (EA) and embedding catgut therapeutic group (EC). Electro-acupuncture was performed every 2 days at Baihui (GV20) acupoint in EA group, 30 minutes each time, altogether 15 times in 30 days. Embedding catgut was performed every 10 days at Baihui (GV20) acupoint in EC group, altogether 3 times in 30 days. The learning and memory ability in every group was observed through the morris water maze test; the protein expression of NR2B in the happocampus was observed through Western Blotting. The Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and Nitric oxide (NO) content were also observed. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological change of the neurons in the hippocampus.Results (1) Compared with the model group, 30 days after the treatment, EC group and EA group can significantly reduce escape latency in place...