Neuronal Regeneration after Electroacupuncture Treatment in Ischemia–Reperfusion-Injured Cerebral Infarction Rats

Adult neuronal cells which can regenerate have been reported. The present study investigated whether acupuncture enhances neuronal regeneration in ischemic stroke rats. We established an ischemic stroke rat model by occluding the cerebral blood flow of the right middle cerebral artery for 15 minutes and then allowing reperfusion in Sprague-Dawley rats. The results indicated that, in these rats, 2 Hz electroacupuncture (EA) at both Zusanli (ST36) and Shangjuxu (ST37) acupoints reduced the infarction/hemisphere ratio 8 days after reperfusion and reduced the modified neurological severity score (mNSS) and increased the rotarod test time 4 and 8 days after reperfusion, respectively. In addition, 2 Hz reduced nestin immunoreactive cells in the penumbra area and the ischemic core area; 2 Hz EA also reduced Ki67 immunoreactive cells and increased glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactive cells in the penumbra area. These findings suggest that 2 Hz EA at the ST36 and ST37 acupoints has a neuroprotective role. However, additional studies are needed to further investigate these preliminary results.