title: The neuroprotective effect of electro-acupuncture against ischemic stroke in animal model: a review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is well established that electro-acupuncture can exert neuroprotection in animal experiments. However, the exact mechanism of electro-acupuncture against ischemic stroke is not very clear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature retrieval was performed in four databases (OVID, PUBMED, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science), from respective inception to July 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Series of studies have demonstrated that electro-acupuncture might be a promising method in reducing brain damage after stroke and induce brain ischemic tolerance before stroke through the promotion of angiogenesis, alleviation of the inflammatory response, regulation of the blood brain barrier (BBB), inhibition of apoptosis, and so on. Through these mechanisms, electro-acupuncture may reduce the neural damages associated with stroke.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An awareness of the benefits of acupuncture might lead more patients into accepting acupuncture therapy for the management of patients with ischemic stroke and patients with high risk of ischemic stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050051, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050051, P. R. China ; Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopedic Biomechanics, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050051, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: acupuncture; brain damage; brain ischemic tolerance; cerebral ischemia