Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of cluster scalp acupuncture on the behavior and expression of bcl-2 in rats after acute cerebral infarction. Methods 72 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (A), model group (B) and cluster scalp acupuncture group (C), 24 rats in each group. According to time after cerebral infarction, each group was reassigned to 6 h, 24 h and 3 d subgroups, 8 rats in each subgroup. The acute cerebral infarction model was established with the middle cerebral artery occlusion. The effects of cluster scalp acupuncture on the behavior and expression of apoptosis-related gene bcl-2 in the rat brain tissues with acute cerebral infarction were tested at different time. Results 3 d after cerebral infarction, the score of neuronal function in group C was significantly lower than that of group B (P<0.01). The expression of bcl-2 in brain ischemic penumbra increased in group C at different time and reached its peak at 24 h. Compared with group B, there was a statistical difference (P<0.01). Conclusion Cluster scalp acupuncture can significantly reduce the neuronal function score of rats after acute cerebral infarction and then promote the recovery of movement function. The therapy can inhibit the apoptosis by increasing the expression of bcl-2 in penumbra zone of cerebral infarction.

Key words: acute cerebral infarction, rats, cluster scalp acupuncture, bcl-2, neuronal function score