Influence of acupuncture pretreatment on ischemia-induced functional impairment of cerebellar Purkenje cells in rats

Objective:To investigate the influence of acupuncture pretreatment Baihui-point and bilateral Zusanli-point on ischemia-induced impairment of cerebellar Purkenje cells.Methods:Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:control group, acupuncture pretreatment in Baihui-point and bilateral Zusanli-point group and pretreatment in non acupuncture point group, 10 rats in each group.The oxygen-glucose deprivation model was established, the survival rate of Purkinje cells, malondiadehyde(MDA) content and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity were detected during the ischemia period after the rats were acupunctured.Results:Compared with the control, the survival rate of Purkinje cells was lower, MDA content was increased and SOD activity was decreased significantly in non-acupuncture pretreatment group(P<0.01).Compared with the non-acupuncture pretreatment group, the survival rate of Purkinje cells was increased, MDA content was decreased, and SOD activity was increased in the acupuncture pretreatment in Baihui-point and bilateral Zusanli-point group(P<0.01).Conclusions:Acupuncture pretreatment to Baihui-point and bilateral Zusanli-point prevented ischemia-induced functional impairment of cerebellar Purkenje cells, the protective mechanism may be related to reduce the production of reactive oxygen species and promote the clearance in cerebellar Purkenje cells.