title: Optimal electroacupuncture frequency for maintaining astrocyte structural integrity in cerebral ischemia.
abstract: The astrocyte is a critical regulator of neuronal survival after ischemic brain injury. Electroacupuncture may be an effective therapy for cerebral ischemia, as electroacupuncture frequency can affect the structural integrity of astrocytes. In this study, a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion established using the modified thread embolism method was treated with electroacupuncture of the bilateral Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) at 15, 30, and 100 Hz frequencies. Behavioral testing, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy were used to explore the effect of these electroacupuncture frequencies used on maintaining the structural integrity of ischemic brain tissue. Compared with the model and 100 Hz electroacupuncture groups, the 15 and 30 Hz electroacupuncture groups displayed decreased neurological deficit scores, as evaluated by the "Longa" method, significantly increased glial fibrillary acidic protein expression, and alleviated ultrastructural damage of astrocytes at the edge of the infarct. Our experimental findings indicate that 15 and 30 Hz electroacupuncture intervention can favorably maintain the structural integrity of astrocytes and play a protective role in cerebral ischemic injury. Astrocyte structural integrity may be the mechanism underlying acupuncture production of ischemic tolerance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Yicai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Xingui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Preclinical Medicine, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Xiangfa
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Liping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Yuancheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Xuejie
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
keywords: acupuncture and moxibustion; astrocytes; brain damage; cerebral ischemic tolerance; electroacupuncture frequency; electron microscope; focal ischemia; glial fibrillary acidic protein; grants-supported paper; neural regeneration; neuroprotection; neuroregeneration