Effect of Electro-acupuncture on Pathomorphology of Hippocampus with Alzheimer's Disease In Rats

Objective: To explore the pathomorphological changes of hippocampus of rats with Alzheimer's disease(AD) and observe the effect of electro acupuncture therapy on the hippocampus.Methods: 40 male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups in average,the normal group,the sham group,the model group and the EA group.By utilizing condensed Aβ25~35 in one-time injection of bilateral hippocampus to induce AD model rats.There were some acupoints selected such as bilat-eralm Shenshu(BL23),bilat-eralm Neiguan(PC6) and Dazhui(GV14) acupoint in EA group.G6805-Ⅱ type of electroacupuncture treatment device was connected to needdles,and then we selected the frequency of 2Hz continus wave(CW),the intensity of 1mA.The therapy was last 20mins with once a day for 6 times a week.It was a total of 2 weeks treatment.The Morris water maze testing was used to examine the learning and memory changes in each rats group.Pathomorphological changes of hippocampus on the lesions side were observed with optical microscopes.Results: Comparing with the sham group,the number of pyramidal neuron in CA1 and CA3 area in the model group was obviously reduced.The remaining neuron was arrangemented loose.Most nucleuses was shrinked.The whole cell was deeply colored.Some cells appeared the shape of multidentate and crescent.The neuron in the EA group was significantly reduced.Conclusion: Electro-acupuncture therapy could improve the pathological condition of hippocampus with AD in rats.