《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2017, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (10): 1145-1151.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2017.10.005

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Effects of Electroacupuncture at Baihui and Shenting Acupoints on Learning and Memory Ability and Expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A Receptor in Rats with Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion

JIN Hao1, LIU Wei-lin1, LIN Bing-bing1, LI Long1, PENG Hong-wei1, ZHANG Xiu-feng1, SONG Chang-ming1, HUANG Jia1, TAO Jing1, 2, 3, CHEN Li-dian1, 2, 3, 4   

  1. 1. College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China;
    2. Fujian Collaborative Innovation Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China;
    3. National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medical Technology, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China;
    4. Rehabilitation Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian 350122, China
  • Received:2017-04-17 Revised:2017-06-02 Published:2017-10-25 Online:2017-11-03
  • Contact: CHEN Li-dian. E-mail: cld@fjtcm.edu.cn

Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of electroacupuncture at Baihui (DU20) and Shenting (DU24) acupoints on learning and memory ability in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R), and the potential mechanisms.Methods A total of 90 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=18) and operation group (n=72). The MCAO/R model was established by suture method in the operation group. Finally, 54 qualified rats of the operation group were randomly divided into ischemia group (n=18), electroacupuncture group (n=18) and non-acupoint group (n=18). The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Baihui (DU20) and Shenting (DU24) for 14 days. The cerebral infarction volume was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The learning and memory ability was tested by Morris water maze. The protein expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A (5-HT1A) receptor was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results There was no significant difference in the cerebral infarction volume among three groups before intervention (F=1.678, P>0.05). Compared with the ischemia group and the non-acupoint group, the cerebral infarction volume significantly reduced (P<0.001); the latency significantly shortened (P<0.001) and the times crossing the platform decreased (P<0.05); the expression of 5-HT1A receptor decreased in the left hippocampus (P<0.05) in the electroacupuncture group after intervention. There was no significant difference in all the indices between the non-acupoint group and the ischemia group after intervention (P>0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Baihui (DU20) and Shenting (DU24) could effectively increase the learning and memory ability of MCAO/R rats, which might relate with inhibiting the expression of 5-HT1A receptor in hippocampus.

Key words: cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, electroacupuncture, learning and memory, 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor, rats

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