Effects of acupuncture on deficit of memory function and expression of c-fos mRNA and protein in vascular dementia rats

Objective:To study the relationship between auricular acupuncture improve deficit of memory function and expression of c-fos in hippocampus CA1 region in vascular dementia rats. Method: The vascular dementia model of rat was performed by 4-vessel occlusion method. Two auricular acupuncture points of the kidney and the brain were chosed to treat VD rats. The rats were tested by Y-type maze and c-fos mRNA and protein were examined in hippocampus CA1 region of rat by using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and computer image analysis. Result: The expression of c-fos mRNA and protein showed increase in hippocampus CA1 region of rat after auricular acupuncture treatment, which had a significant positive correlation with memory. Conclusion: The auricular acupuncture could improve learning and memory capability of VD rats. The protective effect of auricular acupuncture on hippocampus neurons in VD may be related to the increase of c-fos.