title: [Effects of Acupuncture Stimulation on Dynamic Changes of Cerebral TNF-α and C-reaction Protein Levels in Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Rats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the influence of "Tong Du Tiao Shen" (Governor-Vessel-Dredging and Mental Activity Regulating) acupuncture method on dynamic changes of cerebral TNF-α and C-reaction protein (CRP) levels in focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CI/R) rats, so as to master the optimal time point of acupuncture therapy for cerebral infarction. Methods A total of 72 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control, sham-operation, model and acupuncture groups which were further divided into 6 h, 24 h and 48 h subgroups (n 6 in each subgroup) . The CI/R model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Acupuncture stimulation of "Baihui" (GV 20), "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) was conducted for 30 min. Neurological deficit symptoms were assessed with the Zea-Longa neurological deficit score and TNF-α and CRP contents in the brain tissue were detected using double sandwich ABC-ELISA method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In comparison with the model group, the Zea-Longa neurological deficit score was significantly decreased in the acupuncture group (P<0. 01). Cerebral TNF-α and CRP levels at time-points of 6 h, 24 h and 48 h after CI/R were significantly increased in the model group than in both control and sham groups (P<0. 01). In the acupuncture group, cerebral TNF-α and CRP levels were obviously lower than those of the model group (P<0. 01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Manual acupuncture stimulation of GV 20, GV 16 and GV 14 can relieve neurological deficit function in CI/R rats, which may be related to its function in suppressing TNF-α and CRP levels.
authors.forename: Hai-yang
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015424:Reperfusion; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein