BACKGROUND:Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in brain tissue can participate in inflammatory reactions after cerebral ischemia.Acupuncture treatment for acute cerebral ischemia produces abnormal protein expression.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of acupuncture on NF-κB, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 mRNA and protein expression in the brain tissue of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING:Randomized, controlled, animal experiments were performed at the Laboratory of Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, China between December 2008 and October 2009.MATERIALS:Rabbit anti-NF-κB polyclonal antibody, rabbit anti-ICAM-1 polyclonal antibody, and rabbit anti-VCAM-1 polyclonal antibody were purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, USA.METHODS:A total of 46 healthy, Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to sham surgery (n=10), model (n=12), acupuncture pretreatment (n=12), and acupuncture intervention (n=12) groups.Models of middle cerebral artery occlusion were established by right common carotid artery ligation.In the acupuncture pretreatment group, rats received acupuncture for 3 consecutive days, and then models were established.In the acupuncture intervention group, rats received acupuncture for 3 consecutive days at Waiguan (SJ 5), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), and Dazhui (DU 14) acupoints following model establishment.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Somatosensory asymmetry and forelimb use asymmetry were tested, as well as NF-κB, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 mRNA and protein expression in the frontal and parietal cortex at 4, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.RESULTS:Acupuncture improved neurological function and significantly decreased NF-κB, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 mRNA and protein expression in the frontal and parietal cortex of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Acupuncture can improve neurological function, potentially via inhibition of NF-κB, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 mRNA and protein expression in the frontal and parietal cortex of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.
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