Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on expression of growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) and Nogo-A in brain after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats. Methods 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group and electroacupuncture group, and the latter two were modeled as middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion with nylon monofilament suture. Electroacupuncture was performed 90 min after modeling in the electroacupucture group at acupoints of Neiguan (PC06), Shuigou (DU26), Sanyinjiao (SP06), Baihui (DU20), for 30 min, once a day. The sham group and the model group were conventionally fed in cages without any intervention. 8 rats of each group were assessed with Longa's score, and the expressions of GAP-43 and Nogo-A were detected with immunohistochemistry 7 d and 14 d after modeling respectively. Results The sham group presented no neurological symptoms. There was not different in Longa's score between the model group and the electroacupuncture group 7 d after modeling (P>0.05), but was different 14 d after modeling (P<0.05). GAP-43 positive cells was not found in the sham group, but could be found around cerebral ischemia 7 d after modeling, which decreased 14 d after modeling in the model group. GAP-43 positive cells increased significantly in the electroacupuncture group compared with the model group at each time (P<0.01). Nogo-A positive cells was few found in the sham group, and was more in the model group (P<0.01). The expression of Nogo-A decreased significantly in the electroacupuncture group compared with the model group at each time (P<0.01). Conclusion Electroacupuncture can improve neurological function of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion rats, which may be associated with the increase of GAP-43 and descrease of Nogo-A in peri-infarct regions

Key words: ischemia/reperfusion, electroacupuncture, neurological function, growth associated protein-43, Nogo-A, rats