Effects of electroacupuncture on learning and memory and the expression of Nogo-A and Ng R in rats with focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

Objective:To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture on learning and memory and Nogo-A/Ng R expression in hippocampus of rats with focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.Method:Forty- five male adult SD rats were randomly divided into the sham operation control group(SC group), the ischemia model group(IC group) and the electroacupuncture group(EA group), n=15 for each group. The focal cerebral ischemia- reperfusion model was setup by suture method in IC and EA groups. The rats of EA group received electroacupuncture treatment at Shenting(DU24) and Baihui(DU20) for 7 days.Learning and memory ability was tested by Morris water maze. The cerebral infarct volume was assessed using TTC staining and Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression of Nogo-A and Ng R in hippocampus of the cerebral ischemia side.Result:The latency and route distance for rats to reach the hidden platform were markedly decreased in EA group compared with that in IC group in the Morris water maze test, whereas the times that rats crossed the location of the platform were significantly increased(P0.05 versus IC group). TTC staining showed that electroacupuncture treatment profoundly reduced cerebral infarct volumes compared with that of IC group(P0.05). Furthermore, the expression of Nogo-A and Ng R in the hippocampus of the cerebral ischemia side was significantly downregulated in EA group(P0.05, versus IC group).Conclusion:Learning and memory of rats with focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion could be improved with electroacupuncture treatment. The mechanism might be based on the inhibition of the expression of Nogo- A and Ng R.