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Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine ›› 2019, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (06): 833-841.DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2019.06.010

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Subacute electroacupuncture at Baihui (GV 20) and Dazhui (GV 14) promotes post-stroke functional recovery via neurogenesis and astrogliosis in a photothrombotic stroke mouse model

Young-Wook Park, Gi Yoon Heo, Min Jae Kim, Seo-Yeon Lee, Byung Tae Choi, Hwa Kyoung Shin   

  1. Division of Meridian and Structural Medicine,School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University;Department of Korean Medical Science, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University;Graduate Training Program of Korean Medicine for Healthy-Aging, Pusan National University;Korean Medical Science Research Center for Healthy-Aging, Pusan National University;
  • Online:2019-12-15 Published:2019-12-15
  • Supported by:
    Supported by a 2-Year Research Grant of Pusan National University

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Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the optimal timing and underlying mechanism of electroacupuncture(EA)at Baihui(GV 20) and Dazhui(GV 14) for improved long-term functional recovery after focal cerebral ischemia in a photothrombotic stroke mouse model.METHODS: Totally 50 adult male C57 BL/6 J mice were assigned into 5 groups:(a) the control group,sham-operated mice(n = 10);(b) the vehicle group,focal cerebral ischemia induction without EA(n =10);(c) the acute EA group, mice received EA immediately post-ischemia, followed by once-daily treatments for 7 consecutive days(n = 10);(d) the subacute EA group, mice received EA 4 days post-ischemia, followed by once-daily treatments for 7 consecutive days(n = 10);(e) the delayed EA group. EA stimulation(2 Hz, 2 V for 20 min) was applied to acupuncture points(acupoints), Baihui(GV 20) and Dazhui(GV 14), once a day for 7 consecutive days beginning immediately(acute treatment), 4 d(subacute treatment) and 10 d(delayed treatment) after focal cerebral ischemia in C57 BL/6 J mice. Behavioral assessments were conducted 21 and 28 d post-ischemia and histopathological analyses were performed 28 days post-ischemia.RESULTS: The subacute EA treatment at Baihui(GV20) and Dazhui(GV 14) significantly improved functional recovery compared to the vehicle group 28 d after ischemic brain injury, although brain atrophy was not reduced. The number of Neu N+and Neu N+/Brd U+cells as well as GFAP intensity in the ipsilateral cortex were significantly increased in the subacute group compared to the vehicle group 28 d post-ischemia.We concluded that EA stimulation 4 d post-ischemia(subacute treatment) enhanced neurogenesis and astrogliosis, likely contributing to long-term functional recovery following focal cerebral ischemia.CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the timing of the EA therapy at Baihui(GV 20) and Dazhui(GV 14) determines the therapeutic effects in mice with focal cerebral ischemia induced by photothrombotic occlusion.

Key words: Electroacupuncture, Stroke, Astrocytes, Neurogenesis, Post-stroke remodeling

Cite this article

Young-Wook Park, Gi Yoon Heo, Min Jae Kim, Seo-Yeon Lee, Byung Tae Choi, Hwa Kyoung Shin. Subacute electroacupuncture at Baihui (GV 20) and Dazhui (GV 14) promotes post-stroke functional recovery via neurogenesis and astrogliosis in a photothrombotic stroke mouse model[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2019, 39(06): 833-841.