康复学报 (Apr 2016)
Effect of Electroacupuncture at Baihui and Shenting on Learning and Memory of Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injuried Rats Via Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Abstract
Objective:To observe the nerve cell metabolism of hippocampus in focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (FCIR) rats, and explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) improving the learning and memory ability of FCIR rats.Methods:Sprague-dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham operated group, model group and EA group. Cerebral ischemia model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established in rats by using Koizumi suture method. The rats in the EA group were administered EA at Baihui (DU20) and Shenting (DU24) for seven days, one time daily and 30 minutes each time. The learning and memory ability of rats was evaluated by Morris water maze, the cerebral infarct volume was assessed by the small animal MRI T2-weighted image, the nerve cell metabolism of hippocampus was observed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Morris water maze was used to evaluate learning and memory ability, T2-weighted imaging was used to assess the cerebral infarct volume, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to observe the nerve cell metabolism of hippocampus.Results:After seven days of EA treatment, the numbers of crossing platform of FCIR rats were significantly increased in Morris water maze (P<0.01). The cerebral infarct volume of FCIR rats was decreased (P<0.01). The ratio of left content to right content of N-Acetylaspartate (NAA) and Choline-containing compounds (Cho) was improved respectively, and the change of Glutamate (Glu) was not significant (P>0.05).Conclusion:EA at DU20 and DU24 acupoints can improve the ability of learning and memory after FCIR by enhancing NAA and Cho metabolism of hippocampus and protecting neurons in rats.
