Effects of acupuncture on the expression and content of nuclear factor-κB and tumor necrosis factor-α in rat brain after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

Objective:To investigate effects of acupuncture on the expression and content of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in hippocampus of rat brain after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. Method:SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,sham operation group,model group,and electroacupuncture group. The rat's middle cerebral artery was blocked to establish cerebral ischemia (MCAO)/reperfusion model with suturing MCA. Dazhui (BU14),Neiguan (PC6) of both side were treated with electroacupuncture. The expression and content of nuclear factor-κB in hippocampus were detected with immunohistochemistry and the content of TNF-α in hippocampus were detected by means of radio-immunoassay (RIA). Result:The expression of NF -κB -p65 in ischemic hippocampi CA1 and content of TNF-α in hippocampus of rats in model group were significantly higher than those in electroacupuncture group (P0.01,0.05). Conclusion:NF-κB and TNF-α may play an essential role in injury-induced inflammatory response that leads to secondary insults after brain injury.Electroacupuncture may inhibit the expression of NF -κB in hippocampus of rat brain after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion,reduce the inflammatory response and block it migrating into nucleus. Electroacupuncture can provide the protective effects on neuronal cells after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats.