针刺耳穴对全脑缺血大鼠学习记忆能力和海马脑源性神经营养因子表达的影响

目的探讨针刺耳穴对全脑缺血大鼠的治疗机制。方法选择45只SD大鼠,随机分为对照组、模型组和针刺组,每组15只;模型组和针刺组大鼠用改良的4血管阻塞法建立血管性痴呆(VaD)大鼠模型,针刺组造模后针刺"肾"、"心"耳穴4周;对照组只做手术,但不阻断血管。用Morris水迷宫检测3组大鼠学习记忆能力,免疫组织化学SABC法检测海马神经元脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)阳性表达。结果模型组大鼠学习记忆能力较对照组明显减退(P<0.05,P<0.01),海马神经元BDNF阳性表达较对照组明显增多(P<0.05);针刺组大鼠学习记忆能力较模型组明显提高(P<0.05),海马神经元BDNF阳性表达较模型组和对照组均明显增多(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论针刺耳穴改善全脑缺血大鼠学习记忆能力,其机制可能与针刺上调VaD大鼠海马神经元BDNF的表达有关。

Effect of ear acupuncture on learning and memory abilities and expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in hippocampus of brain global ischemia rats

Objective To investigate the mechanism of ear acupuncture in treatment of vascular dementia(VaD) rats. Methods Forty-five rats were divided into three groups of 15 rats each: the control group, VaD model group and ear acupuncture group. VaD animal models were established by employing modified method of Pulsinellis' four-vessel occlusion. After establishment of the model, the rats of the ear acupuncture group were given acupuncture at ear acupoints "shen" and "xin" daily for four weeks. The abilities of learning and memory of the experimental animals were assessed through Morris water maze behavior test. The number of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)-positive neurons in the hippocampus was counted by immunohistochemistry SABC method. Results Compared with the control group, the abilities of learning and memory were decreased in VaD model group (P<0.05,P<0.01) ,the number of BDNF-positive neurons of the hippocampus in VaD group was incereased compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with VaD model group, the abilities of learning and memory were enhanced in acupuncture group (P<0.05), and the number of BDNF-positive neurons in the hippocampus was increased compared with that in VaD model group and the control group (P<0.05,P<0.01). Conclusions Ear acupuncture improved the learning and memory abilities in the VaD model rats,possibly by increasing the expression of the BDNF in the hippocampus.