Influence of Combining Acupuncture and Medicine on NO and NOS in Rats' Hippocampi with Acquired Learning-memory Disturbance and Their Correlation

Objective To study the correlation between NO and NOS and learning\|memory disturbance in rats, and further to explore the possible mechanism of combining acupuncture and medicine in the treatment of it. Methods 10 rats in every group were modeled to be with learning memory disturbance by scopolamine, and then treated with nimodipine, single acupuncture, and combining acupuncture and medicine respectively. Jumping platform and labyrinth tests were conducted. The landing period and the contents of NO and NOS in the rats' hippocampi were compared correlatively. The improvements of learning memory capacity in every group were compared. Results The content of NO(1.300±0.14 μmol/g) and activity of NOS(0.064±0.007 u/mg) were significantly lower in single acupuncture group than in nimodipine group(0.808± 0.23 μmol/g,0.056±0.012 u/mg) and combining acupuncture and medicine group(0.705±0.52 μmol/g,0.047± 0.005 u/mg) ( P 0.05). The learning memory disturbance was improved obviously less in single acupuncture group than in nimodipine group and combining acupuncture and medicine group. Conclusion Combing acupuncture and medicine has better effects than single acupuncture in inhibiting NOS activity and thus reduce the damage of neurons.