Effect Of AMPK On Electroacupuncture Pretreatment In Cerebral Ischemia/reperfusion

Objective To evaluate the effect of AMP-activated protein kinase activator on electroacupuncture pretreatment in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion mice.Methods Two hundred and sixteen male C57BL6 mice, aged 2-3 months.weighing 20-25 g,were randomly divided into six groups(n=36each) using a random number table:controll group(group C),I/R group(group I/R),electro-acupuncturepretreatment group(group EAB),shamelectro-acupuncturegroup(group EAC),AICAR pretreatment group(group A) and electro-acupuncture combined AICAR pretreatment group(group EAB).The global cerebral I/R was produced by 15 min followed by reperfusion. Twelve mice were chosen and sacrificed in each group at 4, 24 and 72 h of reperfusion. Their hippocampal CAl region was dissected for microscopic examination, detection of neuronal apoptosis rate(by TUNEL) and expression of phosphorylated AMPKa(p-AMPKa)(by Western blot).Results Compared with group C, neuronal apoptosis rate and the expression of p-AMPKα was significantly increased at each time point in I/R, EAB, EAC, A and EAB+A groups(P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with group I/R, neuronal apoptosis rate was significantly decreased and the expression of p-AMPKα was up-regulated at each time point in EAB, A and EAB+A groups(P<0.05). Compared with group EAC, neuronal apoptosis rate was significantly decreased and the expression of p-AMPKα was up-regulated at each time point in EAB, A and EAB+A groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:AMP-activated protein kinase activator and electro-acupuncture pretreatment can up-regulate the expression of p-AMPKα, decrease neuronal apoptosis and attenuate global cerebral I/R injury in mice.