Electro-acupuncture at LI 11 and ST 36 acupoints exerts neuroprotective effects via reactive astrocyte proliferation after ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats.

Electro-acupuncture at LI 11 and ST 36 acupoints exerts neuroprotective effects via reactive astrocyte proliferation after ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats. Brain Res Bull. 2015 Oct 30; Authors: Tao J, Zheng Y, Liu W, Yang S, Huang J, Xue X, Shang G, Wang X, Lin R, Chen L Abstract Reactive astrogliosis is a common phenomenon in central nervous system (CNS) injuries such as ischemic stroke. The present study aimed to deeply investigate the relationships between the neuroprotective effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) and reactive astrocytes following cerebral ischemia. EA treatment at the Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints at Day 3 attenuated neurological deficits and cerebral infarct volume in ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injured rats. Animal behavior assessments found that the speed of Catwalk gait, equilibrium and coordination of Rotarod test were improved. Furthermore, EA treatment exerted neuroprotective effects via activation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin and nestin positive cells. Simultaneously, an obvious increase in GFAP/vimentin, GFAP/nestin and GFAP/BrdU co-labeling appeared in the peri-infract cortex and striatum, suggesting EA can promote the proliferation of GFAP/vimentin/nestin-positive reactive astrocytes. The expression of cell cycle-associated proteins Cyclin Dl, CDK4 and phospho-Rb were increased in the peri-infract cortex and striatum, indicating proliferated reactive astrocytes...
Source: Brain Research Bulletin - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Brain Res Bull Source Type: research