Effects of Acupuncture on Learning and Memory Abilities and Levels of Acetylcholinesterase in Serum and Hippocampus of Vascular Dementia in Rats

Objective To establish vascular dementia(VD) model in an attempt to study the effects of acupuncture at Baihui,Renzhong,and Dazhui acupoints on learning and memory abilities and on the levels of acetylcholinesterase(AchE) in the serum and the hippocampus of VD rats.Methods The VD model was induced by ischemia and reperfusion of bilateral common carotid artery.The VD rats were randomized into model group,acupuncture treated group and western medicine treated group.The abilities of learning and memory were detected by jumping stair test,and the levels of AchE in the serum and the hippocampuswere assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results The response time of jumping stair test was significantly shortened in the acupuncture treated group compared with that in the model group(P0.05);the levels of AchE in the hippocampus and the serum in the acupuncture treated group were significantly decreased compared with those in the model group(P0.05).Conclusion The decrement of AchE levels in the serum and the hippocampus is one of underlying mechanisms for acupuncture in the treatment of VD rats.