Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture at Hegu (LI04) on capillary density and expression of CD34 after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats. Methods 90 rats were randomly divided into normal group (n=6), model group (n=42) and electroacupuncture group (n=42). A rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion was made by filament occlusion in the model group and the electroacupuncture group. And the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture. They were observed 2 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3 d, 7 d, 14 d, 21 d after reperfusion 1 h followed ischemia. HE staining was used to observe and calculate the infarct volume and capillary density, and immunohistology was used to detect the expression of CD34 after neurologic symptoms rating. Results Compared with the model group, the neurologic symptoms score significantly decreased 2 h after reperfusion in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.01), and still decreased 21 d after reperfusion (P<0.05). The infarct volume significantly was smaller in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.01). The capillary density was higher 2 h, 24 h, 3 d, 7 d, 14 d after reperfusion in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.05). Compared
with the model group, the expression of CD34 significantly increased 3 d after reperfusion in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.01),and it reached a peak at 7 d after reperfusion (P<0.01), and still higher at 14 d. Conclusion Electroacupuncture can promote the expression of CD34 and the capillary density, and stimulate the angiogenesis after focal ischemia/reperfusion.

Key words: ischemia/reperfusion, electroacupuncture, capillary density, CD34, rats