title: Effects of electroacupuncture on hippocampal and cortical apoptosis in a mouse model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on hippocampal and cortical apoptosis in a mouse model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mouse models established by repeated cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, followed by electroacupuncture at Shenshu, Geshu, and Baihui points. The control group mice were intragastrically administered Hydergine. On day 1 and 7 post-treatment, hippocampal and cortical apoptosis was detected by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), and apoptosis images in the hippocampal CA1 zone and cortical area were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the model group, apoptotic cells were detected one day after treatment and some cellular fibers were disarrayed. By day 7 post-treatment, there was an increase in the number of apoptotic cells in the hippocampal CA1 region. In addition, there were apoptotic cells in the cortical area, the cortical layers were thinner with localized neuronal loss and sieve-like lymphocyte infiltration, as well as glial cell proliferation and visible infarct lesions. However, in the Hydergine and electroacupuncture groups, there was a small number of apoptotic cells. At 7 days post-treatment in the model group, field number, numerical density on area, and surface density were increased. However, in the Hydergine and electroacupuncture groups these parameters were decreased (P < 0.01), with a significant difference between the two treatment groups (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electroacupuncture treatment inhibited apoptosis and provided neuroprotection.
authors.affiliation: The Third Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Xin
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yuan-Xiang
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Hong-Ling
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Man-Xiang
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Wei-Ran
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*