Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of acupuncture based on acupoint selection of myofascial meridians perspective on the regeneration of nerve cells and recovery of motor function in rats with cerebral palsy. Methods 20 healthy 21-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control group, acupuncture groups 1 (receiving traditional acupuncture) and 2 (receiving acupuncture based on acupoint selection of myofascial meridians perspective), and sham group. The control group and the acupuncture groups were subjected to ligation of left carotid artery (ischemia) and then put into a hypoxic environment. They were assessed with Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) Scale and inclined plane test 3 d, 7 d and 14 d after the beginning of acupuncture. And 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was used to label Sphase cells in the left striaturn and motor cortex in each group 14 d after the beginning of acupuncture. Results The BBB scores improved more in the acupuncture group 2 than in the acupuncture group 1 and the control group 7 d, 14 d after the beginning of acupuncture (P<0.01), as well as the score of inclined plane test 3 d, 7 d, 14 d after acupuncture (P<0.05). BrdU was more in the left motor cortex in the acupuncture group 2 than in the acupuncture group 1 (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture based on acupoint selection of myofascial meridians perspective can promote the regeneration of nerve cells and recovery of motor function in rats with cerebral palsy, that is more effective than traditional acupuncture.

Key words: cerebral palsy, myofascial meridian, acupuncture, acupoint, 5-bromodeoxyuridine, motor function, rats