Abstract: ObjectiveTo study the effects of Pulse Magnetic Needle Apparatus on nerve growth factor(NGF) expression in cerebral ischemia model of rats.Methods70 Wistar rats were divided randomly into 7 groups as normal group,sham group,model group,magnetic group,acupuncture group,elecupuncture group and pulse magnetic group.Cerebral ischemia model was made by middle cerebral artery occlusion.The neural function of all the rats after operation was assessed by Nervous Scale of Function.The expression of NGF in each group was determined using immunohistochemical method.ResultsIn the Nervous Scale of Function between 6h and 15d after operation,there was no difference in model group(P>0.05),but there was difference in magnetic group(P<0.05) and in other therapeutic groups(P<0.01). The curative effect in pulse magnetic group was as the same as that in elecupuncture group and acupuncture group on the 15th day after operation.The expression of NGF increased in all therapeutic groups compared with the model group on the 15th day after operation(P<0.05 or 0.01).Furthermore, the expression of NGF increased in pulse magnetic group and acupuncture group rather than that in magnetic group and elecupuncture group(P<0.05).There was no distinct difference between acupuncture group and pulse magnetic group(P>0.05).ConclusionsThe Pulse Magnetic Needle Apparatus can promote and prolong the expression of NGF and recover the function of limbs.

Key words: Pulse Magnetic Needle Apparatus, cerebral ischemia, nerve growth factor