Effect of Electroacupuncture on Expression of Substance P in Brain of Rats with Partial Cerebral Ischemia

Objective To explore whether electroacupuncture play a role in the recovery of ischemic brain damage by regulating the substance P in brain,so as to improve the cerebral circulation and protect the cerebrums.Methods 32 male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group(n=8),sham operation group(n =8),model group(n=8) and electroacupuncture group(n=8) according to the random number table method.The middle cerebral artery occlusion rat model was established by the Longa occlusion method, the model was checked by using chen neurologic impairment score,then bilateral Zusanli(ST36) of rats with successful modeling was stimulated by electroacupuncture for 30 minutes(frequency was 20 Hz,beginning intensity was began from 2 mA and increased by 1 mA every 10 minutes).After 14 days,the levels of substance P in sensory and motor areas of the cerebral cortex,hippocampus and cerebellums of rats in each group were determined.Results The level of substance P in cerebellums of rats in electroacupuncture group was higher than that of model group(P0.05),but there was no significant difference in sensory and motor areas of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus between the two groups.Conclusion Neuropeptide substance P which takes part in pain modulation strongly expresses in downstream modulation fiber of cerebellum,and this expression may play a role in the improvement of regional blood flow.