Abstract: Objective To explore the effects of electroacupuncture at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) on learning and memory ability in the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats and its possible mechanism. Methods 45 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=15), ischemia group (n=15) and electroacupuncture group (n=15). The latter 2 groups were modeled as focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) for 7 days. They were tested with Morris Water Maze, observed with Nissl's staining. The protein expression of RhoA was detected with Western blotting. Results The learning and memory ability improved in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05), the injury of the neurons reduced (P<0.05) and the expression of RhoA in hippocampus decreased compared with the ischemia group (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture could ameliorate the learning and memory ability in ischemia- reperfusion rats, which may relate with the inhibition of the expression of RhoA in hippocampus.

Key words: electrocerebral ischemia, acupuncture, learning and memory, RhoA, rats