[Effects of ear point needle embedding therapy on memory disorder and expression of beta-amyloid protein in the rat of vascular dementia].
OBJECTIVE
To study the mechanism of auricular acupuncture for improvement of learning and memory disorders in the rat of vascular dementia (VD).


METHODS
The vascular dementia rat model was made by 4-vessel occlusion method. Four groups, a sham operation group, a normal control group, a model group and an auricular acupuncture group were set up. After acupuncture was given at auricular points, Brain and Kidney. Immunohistochemical analysis, behavioural observation and computer image analysis were made.


RESULTS
Auricular acupuncture could decrease significantly the beta-amyloid protein (A beta) immunoreactivive neurons and increase its average optical density in the parietal cortex of the VD rats (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Auricular acupuncture can reduce or inhibit the over-production of Abeta in the brain, so as to improve the learning and memory capacity of the VD model rat.
Lu
Yu-wei
YW
Affiliated Hospital of Guiyang Medical College, Guizhou 550004, China. luyuwei55@sohu.com
Lü
Ming-zhuang
MZ
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D020831:Acupuncture, Ear / Q000379:methods*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000628:therapy*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides