Abstract: ObjectiveTo observe the effects of electroacupuncture on IL-1β in brain tissue of rats after total cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.MethodsThirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group, model group and acupuncture group, in each group. In acupuncture group and model group, 4-vessel-occlusion method was used to make a rat model of cerebral ischemia reperfusion. Acupuncture group used electroacupuncture on points Quchi and Zusanli, 6 hours after reperfusion. The rats of each group were killed and ELISA was used for the measurement of IL-1β in brain tissues.ResultsIL-1β in brain tissue in model group increased significantly compared with sham operation group and acupuncture group(P<0-001). No significant differences were found between sham operation group and acupuncture group (P>0-05).ConclusionAcupuncture can lower IL-1β content of brain tissue of rats with brain ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Key words: cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, electroacupuncture, interleukin-1β