OBJECTIVE:This work aims to observe the effects of electroacupuncture on brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) mRNA expression in mouse hippocampus following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.METHODS:The models of mouse cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury were established.A total of 96 healthy mice were randomly assigned into 4 groups,namely,the sham surgery,model,model + electroacupuncture,and mode + hydergine groups.Mice in the model + electroacupuncture group were treated through electroacupuncture at the Shenshu(BL 23),Geshu(BL 17),and Baihui(GV 20) acupoints.Mice in the model+hydergine group were intragastrically administered with hydergine(0.77 mg/kg-1 · day-1).The levels of BDNF mRNA expressions in the hippocampus were analyzed through a semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay on days 1 and 7 after the surgeries.RESULTS:BDNF mRNA expressions in the mouse hippocampus of the model group on days 1 and 7 after the surgery were higher than those of the sham surgery group(both P< 0.01) or the model + hydergine group(both P< 0.01).On days 1 and 7 of the hydergine treatment,BDNF mRNA expression in the mouse hippocampus of the model + hydergine group tended to increase compared with the model group;however,statistical significance was not achieved(both P> 0.05).CONCLUSION:Electroacupuncture treatment enhances endogenous BDNF expression,which may improve the survival environment for intracerebral neurons and inhibit the apoptosis of hippocampal cells.