Effect of EA on Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Induced Changes of P53 Protein Expression in Cerebral Cortex of Elder Rats

Objective:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture( EA) on P53 p rotein expression in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and to anal yze the mechanisms of EA in reducing neuronal apoptosis. Method: 36 S D rats were randomly and evenly divided into sham-operation group,model group an d EA group.Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was established by using modifie d (Pulsinelli's)4-vessel occlusion method. BilateralZusanli(ST 36) were pu nctured and stimulated with an EA therapeutic apparatus (100 Hz ,3.5 mA and dura tion of 60 min),once a day,3 days altogether. Immunohistochemical method was use d to display P53 protein expression in the cerebral cortex of elder rats with ce rebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Results: Compared with sham-ope r ation group,the number of P53 immuno-reaction positive cells markedly increased in ischemia-reperfusion group ( P 0.05). In EA group, the number of P53 imm uno-reaction positive cells was significantly fewer than that of model group ( P 0.0 5),suggesting that EA could down-regulate P53 protein expression in rats with c erebral ischemia-reperfusion. Conclusion:EA could down-regulate P53 protein expression in cerebral ischemia rats, that may contribute to the actio n of EA in reducing cerebral neuronal apoptosis.