Effect of electroacupuncture on gene expression in calcium signaling pathway in hippocampal cells in mice with cerebral ischemia reperfusion

Acupuncture ameliorates neurological function in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion by regulating the opening of large-conductance Ca2+ -activated potassium channels

Acupuncture has a good effect on improving neurological function after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, but there are few studies on the neuroprotective effect of acupuncture from the perspective of ion channel cellular electrophysiology. Studies have shown that the over activation of large-conductance Ca²⁺ -activated potassium channel （BKCa） after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion can reduce the excitability of neurons and induce apoptosis. This study intends to establish middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model, with acupuncture at GV26 as the intervention measure, using patch-clamp technique to record the electrophysiological changes of BKCa channel. The results showed that the neurological function score of MCAO/R rats was significantly decreased, and the conductance, open dwell time and open probability of BKCa channel in hippocampal CA1 neurons of MCAO/R rats were significantly increased. Acupuncture at GV26 could significantly improve the neurological function scores of MCAO/R rats, and reduce the conductance, open dwell time, and open probability of BKCa channel. The effect of acupuncture at GV26 was significantly better than acupuncture at non-acupuncture point. The neuroprotective effect of acupuncture at GV26 after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion may be related to regulating the electrophysiological characteristics of BKCa channel opening.

Histopathological evaluation of the role of negative electrical charge on renal ischemia/reperfusion injuries on brain and heart tissues in rat

This study was performed to evaluate the role of electroacupuncture on kidney 1 (Ki1) acupoint to prevent the heart and brain injury following ischemia/reperfusion of both kidneys. 24 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four equal groups. In the treatment 1 group, following anesthesia, acupuncture needles were inserted on Ki1 on the palm of both hindlimbs and connected to electroacupuncture unit for a 3.00 Hz direct current, 1 hr before surgery until the end of surgery. In treatment two groups, the electroacupuncture was also performed 48 and 24 hr before the operation, with the same protocol as treatment 1. Control 1 and control 2 groups had the same procedures like the treatment ones, except for acupuncture. Immediately after reperfusion, the samples of brains and hearts were taken and prepared for microscopic examination. Histopathological study of the heart in the control and treatment groups showed the breakage of myofibrils, hyaline necrosis, edema and disorganization of myocytes. The severity of cardiac lesions was decreased in both treatment groups in comparison with the controls. Brain in control and treatment groups showed ischemic necrosis, disorganization of the neurons in the hippocampus, and edema. The severity of lesions was reduced in the treatment groups and showed a significant difference between the control and treatment 1. It could be concluded that electroacupuncture on the Ki1 point could reduce the severity of damages induced by renal ischemia/reperfusion in the remote organs of the heart and brain.