Astragalus Polysaccharide Promotes Neuronal Injury Repair via the Notch1/NFκB Signaling Axis in the Ventroposterior Thalamic Nucleus in Rats with Focal Cerebral Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke is the most common form of stroke and the second most common cause of death and incapacity worldwide. Its pathogenesis and treatment have been the focus of considerable research. In traditional Chinese medicine, the root of Mongolian astragalus has been important in the treatment of stroke since ancient times. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is a key active ingredient of astragalus and offers therapeutic potential for conditions affecting the neurological system, the heart, cancer, and other disorders. However, it is not yet known how APS works to protect against ischemic stroke. METHODS: Rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) to imitate localized cerebral ischemia. Each of four experimental groups (normal, sham, MCAO, and MCAO+APS) contained 12 adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats selected randomly from a total of 48 rats. Following successful establishment of the model, rats in the MCAO+APS group received intraperitoneal injection of APS (50 mg/kg) once daily for 14 days, whereas all other groups received no APS. The Bederson nerve function score and the forelimb placement test were used to detect motor and sensory function defects, while Nissl staining was used to investigate pathological defects in the ventroposterior thalamic nucleus (VPN). Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot were used to evaluate the expression of Neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1 (Notch1), hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes1), phospho-nuclear factor-κB p65 (p-NFκB p65), and nuclear factor-κB p65 (NFκB p65) proteins in the VPN on the ischemic side of MCAO rats. RESULTS: APS promoted the recovery of sensory and motor function, enhanced neuronal morphology, increased the number of neurons, and inhibited the expression of Notch1/NFκB signaling pathway proteins in the VPN of rats with cerebral ischemia. CONCLUSION: After cerebral ischemia, APS can alleviate symptoms of secondary damage to the VPN, which may be attributed to the suppression of the Notch1/NFκB pathway.

Application of 3D-printed pulmonary segment specimens in experimental teaching of sectional anatomy.

BACKGROUND: Lung cross-section is one of the emphases and challenges in sectional anatomy. Identification of the complex arrangement of intrapulmonary tubes such as bronchi, arteries, and veins in the lungs requires the spatial imagination of students. Three-dimensional (3D) printing has become increasingly used in anatomy education. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of 3D-printed specimens used for the experimental teaching of sectional anatomy. METHODS: A digital thoracic dataset was obtained and input into a 3D printer to print multicolor specimens of the pulmonary segment after software processing. As research subjects, 119 undergraduate students majoring in medical imaging from classes 5-8 in the second-year were chosen. In the lung cross-section experiment course, 59 students utilized 3D printed specimens in conjunction with traditional instruction as the study group, while 60 students received traditional teaching as the control group. Preclass and postclass tests, course grading, and questionnaire surveys were used to assess instructional efficacy. RESULTS: We obtained a set of pulmonary segment specimens for teaching. The students in the study group scored better in the postclass test than those in the control group (P < 0.05), and the students in the study group scored higher in satisfaction with the teaching content and spatial thinking for sectional anatomy than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The course grades and excellence rates in the study group exceeded those in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The application of high-precision multicolor 3D-printed specimens of lung segments in experimental teaching of sectional anatomy can improve teaching effectiveness and is worth adopting and promoting in sectional anatomy courses.

Expression changes of c-Fos and D1R/p-ERK1/2 signal pathways in nucleus accumbens of rats after ketamine abuse.

Ketamine is a commonly used dissociative anesthetic in clinical applications. However, the abuse potential has posted limits to its use and the mechanism remains to be studied. We aimed to investigate the changes of dopamine D1 receptors (D1R), phosphorylation of extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2), and c-Fos expression in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of ketamine abuse rats. Ketamine induced severe anxiety in rats, as shown by an open field test. Nissl staining demonstrated clearly different morphologies between neurons of ketamine abuse rats and normal rats. The molecular expression changes were examined using immunohistochemistry assay and western blotting. D1R, p-ERK1/2, and c-Fos were significantly highly-expressed in NAc during ketamine exposure and were decreased by D1R antagonist SCH23390 and MAPK kinases inhibitor U0126. Taken together, the results suggest that ketamine abuse may induce the overexpression of c-Fos in NAc by up-regulating the expression of D1R and p-ERK1/2.

Spalling Criterion of Hard Brittle Rock Mass Based on Dilatation Lateral Strain.

Spalling failure is a typical failure phenomenon after excavation and unloading of a deep, hard brittle rock mass, which seriously threatens the safe construction of deep roadways (tunnels) and other projects. From the engineering viewpoint, it is essential to accurately evaluate the range and depth of surrounding rock spalling failure. From the perspective of the laboratory and engineering site, the strength and formation mechanism of hard rock spalling failure were statistically summarized and analyzed. Under uniaxial and low confining pressure conditions, when the load reached the rock damage stress, cracks in the rock penetrated to form a failure plane approximately parallel to the axial loading direction, and the strength of rock mass spalling was much smaller than that of intact rock spalling. A triaxial compression test was conducted to analyze the dilatation axial strain and dilatation lateral strain characteristics of gneiss. The results showed that dilatation axial strain gradually increased with the increase of confining pressure, whereas dilatation lateral strain was almost unchanged. Therefore, a safety factor (FS) based on dilatation lateral strain was developed. Through comparison with other strain-based spalling criteria, the establishment and physical meaning of the method were described in detail. In addition, FS was applied to analyze the deep roadway of the Hongtoushan Copper Mine in China and the Rm415 test tunnel in Canada. The results showed that the spalling criterion could accurately indicate the range and depth of the surrounding rock spalling failure, which verified the rationality and applicability of the new spalling criterion. Thus, FS can be utilized as a new theory and analysis tool for the assessment and prevention of spalling failure in deep hard rock roadways.

Electroacupuncture attenuates ketamine-induced neuronal injury in the locus coeruleus of rats through modulation of the CAMK II/CREB pathway.

BACKGROUND: Ketamine, despite its efficacy in treating depression, raises concerns regarding safety due to potential abuse, cognitive impairment, and bladder toxicity. Ketamine can affect the locus coeruleus (LC) norepinephrine and attention networks. This study explored the protective effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the LC of rats exposed to repeated administration of ketamine while investigating the potential role of the Calcium CaM-dependent protein kinase II (CAMK II)/ cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) pathway in mediating EA's impact on ketamine-induced neuronal injury in LC. METHODS: Rats were repeatedly injected intraperitoneally with ketamine hydrochloride (50 mg/kg) once daily for seven days. Subsequently, EA was performed at the acupoints "Zusanli" (ST36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP-6) once daily following ketamine administration. The Morris water maze test was employed to assess behavioral changes in the rats. Neuronal injury was examined using Nissl staining, and the expression of CAMK II, CREB, and phospho-CREB (p-CREB) was evaluated through immunohistochemistry and western blotting. RESULTS: EA mitigated the cognitive and exploratory impairments and attenuated neuronal injury in the LC induced by repeated administration of ketamine. The expression of CAMK II and p-CREB proteins in the LC increased following 7 days of ketamine administration. However, EA treatment led to a downregulation of CAMK II and p-CREB expression. CONCLUSION: Repeated administration of ketamine in male rats can lead to neuronal injury and neurobehavioral dysfunction. However, EA was found to ameliorate neurodegeneration in the LC and enhance neurobehavioral symptoms. This therapeutic effect of EA may be attributed to its modulation of the CAMKII/CREB pathway, thereby mitigating the aforementioned adverse effects.

The effect of electroacupuncture on the expression of Sirt1 and STAT3 in hippocampus and amygdala of vascular dementia rats.

OBJECTIVE: Inflammation has long been considered a key factor in learning and memory impairment in patients with vascular dementia (VaD). Studies have confirmed that electroacupuncture can improve the learning and memory impairment of patients with VaD by reducing inflammation, but the specific mechanism of this effect is still unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the underlying mechanism of electroacupuncture in the treatment of VaD. METHODS: The vascular dementia animal model was established by bilateral occlusion of common carotid arteries, and electroacupuncture treatment was given at Baihui (DU20) and Zusanli (ST36). The morris water maze (MWM) was used to test the spatial learning and memory ability of rats in each group. To evaluate the expression of Sirtuin1 (Sirt1), Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and inflammatory cytokine (IL-17) in the hippocampus and amygdala, immunohistochemistry and western blot were performed. RESULTS: The MWM test and Nissl staining results show that electroacupuncture can significantly improve the learning and memory impairment of VaD rats, and can repair damaged neurons. Immunohistochemistry and western blot results showed that electroacupuncture could enhance the expression of sirt1 in VaD rats, on the contrary, the expression of STAT3 and IL-17 was reduced due to electroacupuncture. CONCLUSIONS: The result suggests that electroacupuncture can suppress inflammation through the Sirt1/STAT3 pathway and improve spatial learning and memory in VaD rats.

Exploring the Relationship Between Entrepreneurship and Psychological Characteristics, and Corporate Social Responsibility Under Marketization.

The present work aims to explore how and to what extent ventures can bear social responsibilities due to their increasingly important role in social and economic activities. Here, the correlation between entrepreneurship and psychological characteristics of entrepreneurs, and corporate social responsibility is analyzed from the perspective of entrepreneurial entrepreneurs based on marketization theories of enterprise activities. The ß value of entrepreneurship in corporate social responsibility is obtained as 0.863 (p < 0.001) through a questionnaire survey (QS) and statistical analysis. It indicates that entrepreneurship has a significant positive impact on corporate social responsibility. The regression coefficient of the marketization process is 0.574, and the significance is <0.01. The results show that there is a significant positive correlation between the marketization process and corporate social responsibility at the level of 1%. When the marketization process is introduced, entrepreneurship significantly and positively impacts corporate social responsibility (ß = 0.524, p < 0.001), while the marketization process has a great positive impact on corporate social responsibility (ß = 0.502, p < 0.001). However, the coefficient of entrepreneurship and psychological characteristics decreases from 0.863 to 0.524. It reveals that its impact on corporate social responsibility is weakened by the introduction of the marketization intermediary variable, but the overall variation that the model can explain increases to 84.3%. The results show that the marketization process has a significant positive mediating effect on the relationship between entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility, and entrepreneurship plays a very important role in corporate social responsibility. The content and methods are complete and comprehensive, and the results can provide scientific and effective references for subsequent studies.

Electroacupuncture Inhibits Myelin Sheath Injury in the Internal Capsule After Focal Cerebral Infarction in Rats Through the Nogo-A/NgR Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND Ischemic stroke is usually accompanied by white matter damage. The effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on ameliorating white matter damage is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the precise mechanism of EA in treating ischemic white matter. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal group, the sham-operated group, model group, and EA group. The stroke model was established by right middle cerebral artery occlusion, and EA was performed 24 h after the operation for 30 min per day. After 14 days of treatment, brain tissue samples were collected. Hematoxylin and eosin and Luxol fast blue staining were used to observe the changes of white matter damage in the internal capsule (IC). The expression levels of myelin basic protein (MBP), Nogo-A, and Nogo-A receptor (NgR) were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot. RESULTS Compared with the sham-operated group, the model group had decreased expression of MBP and significantly increased expression of Nogo-A and NgR (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the IC damage was alleviated in the EA group. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis showed that EA significantly increased the expression of MBP in white matter (P<0.05) and downregulated the expression levels of Nogo-A and NgR (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that EA can inhibit the expression of Nogo-A/NgR and promote myelin sheath regeneration.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on myelin-related protein in corpus callosum of rats with focal cerebral ischemia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)on the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP), axon growth inhibitor Nogo-A and Nogo receptor (NgR) in corpus callosum of rats with focal cerebral ischemia, so as to explore the mechanism of EA underlying improving ischemic white matter injury. METHODS: Fourty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, sham operation, model and EA groups, with 10 rats in each group. The focal cerebral ischemia rat model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO). EA was applied to "Baihui"(GV20) and "Zusanli"(ST36) on the left side for 30 min, once daily for 14 days. Neurological function score and the adhensive removal test were used to evaluate neurological deficit severity; Hematoxylin-esion staining was used to observe the pathological changes in myelin of corpus callosum and luxol fast blue（LFB） staining was used to observe the myelin of corpus callosum. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of MBP、Nogo-A and NgR in the ischemic corpus callosum. RESULTS: After MCAO, the neurological function score was significantly increased (P<0.05), the time required for contact with tape and tape removal was longer (P<0.001), the intensity of LFB staining and the expression of MBP decreased, while the veside area and the expression of Nogo-A and its receptor NgR increased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the model group relevant to the normal and sham operation groups. The fiber arrangement of the corpus callosum on the ischemic side was disordered and a large amount of myelin sheath was lost in the model group. Following the treatment, the neurological deficit score of EA group was gradually decreased and significantly decreased on the 3rd, 7th and 14th day (P<0.05), and the time to remove the adhesive tape was shortened at the 7th and 14th day (P<0.001). The shape of the corpus callosum in the EA group was close to normal, and the myelin structure was relatively complete. The intensity of LFB staining and the expression of MBP was increased (P<0.05, P<0.01) while the expression of Nogo-A and its receptor NgR were decreased in the EA group relevant to the model group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: EA can play a protective role in myelin of the corpus callosum after cerebral ischemia, which may be related to down-regulating the expressions of Nogo-A and NgR.

Enrichment experiment of ventilation air methane (0.5%) by the mechanical tower.

Methane is one of the most important gases leading to the earth's air pollution. Ventilation air methane(VAM) is an important part of the gas discharged into the atmosphere. The volume concentration of methane is generally less than 0.5% in coal mines. Recycling low concentration is facing challenges. To explore the law of low concentration methane enrichment, the enrichment tower for methane was designed and manufactured. The experiment was divided into two types - free diffusion and weak eddy enrichment, and eight kinds of low concentration gas experimental program. Under free diffusion conditions, the maximum methane concentration of the top (middle) tower is 0.64% (0.53%). In the condition of weak eddy field, the maximum methane concentration is 0.67% (0.69%) in the top (middle) tower. The effect of methane enrichment in the weak eddy field is obvious. Methane enrichment method under the eddy current field can greatly increase methane enrichment efficiency and achieve the goal of CMM (coal mine methane) power generation.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on expressions of Gas7 and NGF in arcular nucleus of rats with focal cerebral ischemia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expressions of growth arrest-specific protein 7 (Gas7) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in arcuate nucleus (ARC) of rats with focal cerebral ischemia and explore the potential action mechanism of EA in treatment of focal cerebral ischemia. METHODS: A total of 50 SD rats were randomized into 4 groups, named a normal group (n =12), a sham-operation group (n =12), a model group (n =14) and an EA group (n =12). In the model group and the EA group, the thread embolization method was adopted to duplicate the model of the right middle cerebral arterial embolism. In the sham-operation group, the skin of the neck was opened and sutured without any other intervention. In the EA group, EA was applied to "Baihui" (CV 20) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) on the left side, once a day, 30 min each time, consecutively for 21 days, while there was no any intervention in the normal group, the sham-operation group and the model group. Using the immunohistochemistry (IHC) method and Western blot method, the expressions of Gas7 and NFG of ARC on the ischemic side were determined. Using Nissle staining, the morphological changes in ARC neurons were observed. RESULTS: The results of Nissle staining showed that there was no significant change in the morphology of ARC neurons in the normal group and the sham-operation group. In the model group, the volume of neuron cells was atrophied obviously and the cells were arranged irregularly. In the EA group, the morphology of ARC neuron was similar to the normal group. The results of IHC and Western blot indicated that the expressions of immunoreactive neurons and protein of Gas7 and NGF in ARC of the rats in the model group were increased obviously as compared with the normal group and the sham-operation group and the expressions in the EA group were further enhanced as compared with the model group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Gas7 and NGF may be participated in the compensatory process of partial protection of the body in the patients with focal cerebral ischemia. EA up-regulates the expressions of Gas7 and NGF in ARC, which may be one of the neuroprotective mechanisms of EA in treatment of cerebral ischemia.

Effects of Electroacupuncture on Expression of D1 Receptor (D1R), Phosphorylation of Extracellular-Regulated Protein Kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2), and c-Fos in the Insular Cortex of Ketamine-Addicted Rats.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on expression of the D1 receptor (D1R), phosphorylation of extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and c-Fos in the insular cortex (IC) of ketamine-addicted rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: the normal group, the normal saline (NS) group, the ketamine (Ket) group, the U0126+Ket group, the SCH23390+Ket group, the Ket+acupoints EA (EA1) group, and the Ket+ non-acupoints EA (EA2) group. We used immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of D1R, p-ERK1/2, and c-Fos. We also used Nissl staining techniques to study the morphology of IC neurons. RESULTS Our study demonstrated that the ketamine group had sparsely distributed neurons, large intracellular vacuoles, nuclei shift, and unclear nucleolus. The number of Nissl-positive (neuronal) cells in the ketamine group were decreased than in the normal group. Our results also indicated that there was significantly lower expression of D1R, p-ERK1/2, and c-Fos in the IC of the U0126+Ket group, SCH23390+Ket group, and Ket+EA1 group as compared with that of the Ket group. CONCLUSIONS Ketamine addiction induces c-Fos overexpression in the IC by increasing the expression of D1R and p-ERK1/2. Acupoints EA downregulate D1R and p-ERK1/2 by reducing the overexpression of c-Fos.

[Electroacupuncture plus Gastrodin Improves Learning-memory Ability Possibly by Up-regulating Expression of SIRT 1 and PGC-1 ɑ in Hippocampal CA 1 Region of Alzheimer's Disease Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with Gastrodin on learning-memory ability and expression of silent information regulator 2 homologous protein 1(SIRT 1) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ coactivator (PGC-1 ɑ) of hippocampal CA 1 region in Alzheimer's disease(AD) rats, so as to explore its mechanism under-lying improvement of AD. METHODS: Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control (normal), sham operation (sham), model, EA, Gastrodin and EA＋ Gastrodin groups (n＝10 in each). The AD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of D-Galactose (120 mg•kg－1•d－1) combined with bilateral hippocampal injection of ß amyloid 1-40(Aß 1-40). EA was applied at "Baihui"(GV 20), "Dazhui"(GV 14) and "Zusanli"(ST 36) for 30 min, once daily for 4 weeks. For rats of the Gastro-din group and EA＋ Gastrodin group, intraperitoneal injection of gastrodin(10 mg/kg) was conducted once daily for 4 weeks. Morris water maze tests were used to assess the rat's learning-memory ability. Nissl staining was used to assess the morphological changes of neurons in the hippocampal CA 1 area. The expression of SIRT 1 and PGC-1 ɑ of hippocampal CA 1 region was mea-sured by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: 1) Morris water maze tests showed that, compared with the normal and sham group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged (P<0.05), and the percentage of platform quadrant residence duration and the platform crossing times were considerably decreased in the model group (P<0.05). After the intervention, the escape latency was obviously shortened (P<0.05), and the percentage of platform quadrant residence duration and the platform crossing times were markedly increased in the EA, Gastrodin and EA＋Gastrodin groups relevant to the model group (P<0.05). 2) Nissl staining showed that, in comparison with the normal group or sham group, the number of cells in the hippocampal CA 1 area was decreased and the arrangement was disorganized in the model group. The number of cells in CA 1 area was relatively higher in the 3 treatment groups than in the model group. 3) The expression levels of SIRT 1 and PGC-1 ɑ proteins in the hippocampal CA 1 area were significantly down-regulated in the model group than in the normal and sham groups (P<0.05). After the intervention, the expression levels of SIRT 1 and PGC-1 ɑ in the EA, Gastrodin and EA＋Gastrodin groups were significantly up-regulated compared with the model group (P<0.05). The effects of EA＋Gastrodin were significantly superior to those of simple EA and simple Gastrodin in shortening the escape latency, up-regulating the expression levels of SIRT 1 and PGC-1 ɑ as well as in increasing the percentage of platform quadrant residence time and platform crossing times (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Both EA and Gastrodin can improve the learning-memory ability of AD rats, which may be related to their effects in up-regulating the expression of SIRT 1 and PGC-1 ɑ and reducing neuronal injury in the CA 1 region of hippocampus, suggesting a protective role of EA on hippocampal neurons. The effect of EA combined with Gastrodin is markedly better than that of EA and Gastrodin alone.

Effects of Polysaccharide of Gastrodia Elata Blume and Electro-Acupuncture on Expressions of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Stem Cell Factor Protein in Caudate Putamen of Focal Cerebral Ischemia Rats.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explore the neural protective effect of polysaccharide of Gastrodia elata Blume (PGB) and electro-acupuncture (EA) on focal cerebral ischemia rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (normal group, model group, PGB group, EA group and PGB+EA group). The model was prepared by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Two week after modeling, rats were given PGB, EA, or a combination of the 2 in continuous treatment for 2 successive weeks. 14 days after modeling, expressions of BDNF and SCF protein in the caudate putamen (CPu) were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Positive expression of BDNF and SCF protein was found in the right caudate putamen of each group of rats. Expressions of BDNF and SCF in the CPu of the model group were higher than normal group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the expressions of BDNF and SCF in the CPu of the PGB group, the EA group, and the PGB plus EA group increased significantly (P<0.05). The expressions of BDNF and SCF obviously increased in the PGB plus EA group compared to those of the EA group and the PGB group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS PGB and EA up-regulated the expressions of BDNF and SCF protein in the CPu of focal cerebral ischemia rats, and the combination of PGB+EA has a synergistic effect on the recovery from cerebral ischemia.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture Combined with Polysaccharide of Gastrodia elata Blume on Ex- pression of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in the Paraventricular Nucleus of Hypothalamus in Cerebral Ischemia Rat].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) of "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) in combination with administration of polysaccharide of Gastrodia elata Blume (PGB) on the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus(PVN) of cerebral ischemia (C) rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of Cl. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into five groups: normal control, model, EA, PGB, and EA+ PGB (n = 8/group). The cerebral ischemia model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO). EA (2 Hz, 2 V) was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 30 min, once daily for 14 days. The rats of the PGB and PGB+ EA groups were treated by intragastric gavage of PGB at a dose of 100 mg/kg, once daily for 14 successive days. The expression of BDNF and VEGF in the PVN of hypothalamus was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: After MCAO, the BDNF and VEGF immunoreactions (IR) positive neuron numbers and expression level in the PVN of the hypothalamus were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.05) and were further up-regulated after administration of EA and PBG ( P<0. 05). The effects of EA+ PGB were evidently superior to those of simple EA and simple PBG in up-regulating BDNF and VEGF IR-positive neuron numbers and expression levels in the PVN ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA combined with PGB can up-regulate the expression of BDNF and VEGF in the PVN of hypothalamus in cerebral ischemia rats, which might contribute to its effect in improving cerebral ischemia.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture Intervention Combined with Gastrodin Administration on Neurological Function, Nogo-A and NgR Expression in the Frontal Lobe Cortex of Focal Cerebral Ischemia Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention combined with medication (Gastrodin) on changes of neurological function and expression of Nogo-A and Nogo-A receptor (NgR) in the frontal lobe cortex around the ischemic loci of focal cerebral ischemia (FCI) rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of neuroregeneration of FC. METHODS: Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, EA, medication and EA+ medication groups (n = 10 in each group). The FCI model was induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO) with thread embolus. EA was applied to the left "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Hegu" (Li 4) for 30 min, once daily for 14 days after MCAO. For rats of the medication group, Gastrodin (10 mg/kg) was administrated by intraperitoneal injection, once daily for 14 days. The neurological impairment was assessed by Zea Longa's scoring. The expression of Nogo-A and NgR in the frontal lobe cortex around the ischemic loci was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In comparison with the normal control group, cerebro- cortical Nogo-A and NgR expression levels of the model group vere significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the Zea Longa's score and Nogo-A and NgR expression levels were evidently down-regulated in the EA, medication and EA + medication groups (P < 0.05). The Zea Longa's score and Nogo-A and NgR expression levels were significantly lower in the EA + medication group than in the EA and medication groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA intervention and Gastrodin administration can down-regulate cerebro-cortical Nogo-A and NgR protein expression in FCI rats, which may contribute to their action in improving neurological impairment. The effect of EA+ Gastrodin is better than simple EA or Gastrodin treatment.

[Effect of electroacupuncture intervention combined with polysaccharide of Gastrodia elata Blume on expression of nestin and stem cell factor around the ischemic locus of frontal lobe cortex in local cerebral ischemia rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA), Polysaccharide of Gastrodia elata Blume (PGB), and EA + PGB on the expression of Nestin and stem cell factor (SCF) in the frontal lobe cortex around the ischemic loci of cerebral ischemia (CI) rats, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of CI. METHODS: A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley adult rats were randomly divided into normal control, CI model, EA intervention, PGB intervention and EA + PGB groups (n = 8 in each group). The CI model was prepared by middle cerebral artery occlusion. EA (2 Hz, 2 V) was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20) and left "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 30 min, once daily for 14 days. Rats of the PGB and EA + PGB groups were treated by gastrogavage of PGB at a dose of 100 mg/kg, once daily for 14 successive days. The expression of Nestin and SCF in the frontal lobe around the ischemic loci of the frontal lobe was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the expression levels of regional cerebral cortical Nestin and SCF proteins were significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.05). After the treatment, the expression levels of Nestin and SCF were significantly further up-regulated in the EA, PGB and EA + PGB groups in comparison with the model group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA combined with PGB can significantly up-regulate the expression of Nestin and SCF in the frontal lobe around the ischemic loci in cerebral ischemia rats, which may contribute to their function in improving CI.

[Effects of electroacupuncture combined with polysaccharide of gastrodia elate blume on expression of nestin and stem cell factor in thalamic ventroposterolateral nucleus in rats with focal cerebral ischemia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the nerve regeneration mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with polysaccharide of gastrodia elate blume (PGB) for secondary thalamic damage of focal cerebral ischemia. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley adult rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, an EA group, a PGB group and an EA + PGB group, 8 rats in each group. The rat model of right middle cerebral artery occlusion was prepared by suture-occluded method. Two weeks after model establishment, rats in the normal control group and model group received no treatment; rats in the EA group were treated with EA at "Baihui" (GV 20) and left "Zusanli" (ST 36), 30 min per treatment, once a day for 14 successive days; rats in the PGB group were treated with intragastric administration of PGB (100 mg/kg) , once a day for 14 days; rats in the EA + PGB group were treated with EA and PGB treatment, once a day for totally 14 days. The expressions of nestin and stem cell factor (SCF) in thalamic ventroposterolateral nucleus (VPL) were detected by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: There were positive cells of nestin in ischemia VPL in the model group, and the number of SCF positive cells was increased compared with that in the normal control group (P<0.05). The number of positive cells of nestin and SCF in ischemia VPL in the EA group, PGB group and the EA + PGB group was increased compared with that in the model group (all P<0.05), and the average gray value of immune positive product was all reduced (all P<0.05). The number of positive cells of nestin and SCF in the EA + PGB group was higher than that in the EA group or the PGB group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA combined with PGB can significantly increase the SCF expression in ischemia VPL and promote the proliferation of neural stem cells, which is likely to be one of the nerve regeneration mechanism of acupuncture and medication tor secondary thalamic damage of local cerebral isctemia.

[Effects of Electroacupuncture Intervention Combined with Gastrodin on Expression of Proteins Related to Proliferation-differentiation of Neural Stem Cells in Hippocampal CA 1 and CA 3 Regions in Focal Cerebral Ischemia Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) combined with medication on changes of expression of Nestin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neuron specific enolase (NSE) in the hippocampal CA 1 and CA 3 regions of focal cerebral ischemia (FC1) rats, so as to analyze its mechanisms underlying neuroprotection. METHODS: Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control, model, EA, medication, and EA+ medication groups (n = 10 in each group). The FCI model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with thread embolus. EA (2 Hz, 2 V) was applied to the left "Hegu"(LI 4) and "Quchi" (LI 11) for 30 min, once daily for 14 days after MCAO. Rats of the medication group were given with intraperitoneal injection of gastrodin (10 mg/kg). The expression of Nestin, GFAP and NSE in the hippocampal CA 1 and CA 3 regions were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the numbers of Nestin- and GFAP-immunoreaction (IR) positive cells in both CA 1 and CA 3 regions of the hippocampus were significantly increased in the model ciroup (P<0.05), while those of NSE-IR positive cells in both CA 1 and CA 3 regions were significantly decreased in the mdlgroup (P<0.05). After EA and medication interventions, the numbers of Nestin- and NSE-IR positive cells in the CA 1 and CA 3 regions were evidently increased and GFAP-IR positive neurons were considerably reduced in the EA, medication and EA+ medication groups (P<0.05). The effects of EA+ medication were significantly superior to those of both EA and simple medication in up-regulating the number of Nestin- and NSE-IR positive cells and down-regulating the number of GFAP positive neurons in CA 1 and CA 3-regions (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA and EA intervention combined with gastrodin can significantly up-regulate the number of Nestin- and NSE-IR positive cells, and down-regulate the number of GFAP positive cells in the CA 1 and CA 3 regions of hippocampus in focal cerebral ischemia rats, which may contribute to their effects in promoting the differentiation and proliferation of mature neurons in the hippocampus for improving cerebral functions. The effects of EA+ medication are obviously better than simple EA intervention.