Effections of Acupuncture on the Rat of Transient Focal Brain Ischemia and Reperfusion and the Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor mRNA

Objective To study the change of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA(BDNF mRNA) in hippocampus of transient focal brain ischemia and reperfusion of rat after by acupuncture therapy. Methods The transient focal brain ischemia and reperfusion model rat was performed by 4-vessel occlusion method. The study chose three acupuncture points Baihui, Shenyu and the Zusanli to treat transient focal brain ischemia and reperfusion rat. The level of BDNF mRNA in rat hippocampus was measured using reverse transcription PCR. Results The level of the BDNF mRNA in hippocampus was very low in the normal rat. But it increased in transient focal brain ischemia and reperfusion model rat. And after acupuncture treatment, it had a significant increase. An earlier begining of therapy which should last long enough for 20 days could make BDNF and mRNA expressions decreased. Conclusions Our demonstration of acupuncture increasing secretin of high level of endogenous BDNF in hippocampus which favoures the survival of injured neuron cells may serve to explain the mechanism of the effective treatment of acupuncture for brain ischemua and reperfusion.