Effects of electroacupuncture on expressions of angiogenesis factors and anti-angiogenesis factors in brain of experimental cerebral ischemic rats after reperfusion.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in improving ischemic stroke.


METHODS
The Wistar rat model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion was prepared by the thread embolism method. The rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, and an EA group. EA was given at bilateral "Hegu" (LI 4) in rats of the EA group. Expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA was detected with hybridization in situ, and expressions of the angiogenin-1 (Ang-1) and endostatin proteins were detected with the immunohistochemical method.


RESULTS
As compared with the normal group, the expressions of VEGF mRNA, Ang-1 protein and endostatin protein significantly increased in the model group (all P < 0.05); and when compared with the model group, the EA group showed even more significant increase in expressions of the VEGF mRNA and Ang-1 protein (both P < 0.05), but with an obvious decline in the increase of expression of endostatin protein (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
EA can promote angiogenesis in brain of experimental cerebral ischemic rats after reperfusion probably through up-regulating the expression of angiogenesis factors and down-regulating the expression of anti-angiogenesis factors.
Ma
Jingxi
J
The First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, Chongqing 400016, China.
Luo
Yong
Y
D043924:Angiogenesis Modulating Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D043169:Endostatins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015424:Reperfusion; D012259:Ribonuclease, Pancreatic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D043924:Angiogenesis Modulating Agents; D043169:Endostatins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C046366:angiogenin; D012259:Ribonuclease, Pancreatic