Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on expression of phosphatase and tensin homology deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) protein and growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in rats with Barrel cortex focal ischemia. Methods 24 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham group (n=8), model group (n=8) and EA group (n=8). The EA group accepted EA at Baihui (DU20) and Fengfu (DU16) acupoints 3 days after modeling, 30 min a time, once a day. They were assessed with Corner Test 1 day before modeling, and 3 days, 7 days and 14 days after medication. The expression of GAP-43 and PTEN around infarct zone were detect with Western blotting 14 days after medication. Results The frequence of turn-right decreased in the EA group compared with that in the model group (P<0.001) 14 days after modeling. The expression of GAP-43 increased in the model group compared with that in the sham group (P<0.05), and increased more in the EA group than in the model group (P<0.05). There was no significantly difference in PTEN expression between the model group and the sham group (P=0.460), and significantly decreased in the EA group (P<0.001). Conclusion EA may inhibit expression of PTEN protein and increase expression of GAP-43, which may be involved in nerve regeneration and functional recovery.

Key words: cerebral ischemia, electroacupuncture, nerve regeneration, phosphatase and tensinhomology deleted on chromosome ten, growth associated protein 43, rats