ZHENG Guoqing, LI Huiqin

(1 Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China. E-mail:gq_zheng@sohu.com) 

Abstract: Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the most devastating types of stroke.  Here,  we  aim  to  demonstrate  that  electroacupuncture  (EA)  on  Baihui  (GV20)  exerts neuroprotection for acute ICH possibly via the caveolin-1/matrix metalloproteinase/blood-brain barrier permeability pathway. Methods: The model of ICH was established by using collagenase VII.  Rats  were  randomly  divided  into  three  groups:  Sham-operation  group,  Sham electroacupuncture group, and electroacupuncture group. Each group was further divided into 4 subgroups according to the time points of 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d after ICH. The methods were used including examination of neurological deficit scores according to Longa's scale, measurement of blood-brain barrier permeability through Evans Blue content, in situ immunofluorescent detection of caveolin-1 in brains, western blot analysis of caveolin-1 in brains, and in situ  zymography for measuring  matrix  metalloproteinase  (MMP)-2/9  activity  in  brains.  Results:  (1)  EA  Improved Neurological Function:  Compared with Sham-operation group, Sham EA group has significant differences at the time point of 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d after ICH (P  < 0.05). Compared with Sham EA  group,  EA  group  has  significant differences  at  6 h,  1 d,  3 d,  and  7 d after  ICH (P  <  0.05). Compared with Sham-operation group, EA group has significant differences at 6 h, 1 d, and 3 d after ICH (P  < 0.05). (2) EA Reduced BBB Disruption:  Compared with Sham-operation group, Sham EA group has significant differences at the time point of 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d after ICH (P< 0.05). Compared with Sham EA group, EA group has significant differences at 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d  after  ICH  (P  <  0.05).  Compared  with  Sham-operation  group,  EA  group  has  significant differences at 6 h and 1 d after ICH (P < 0.05). (3) EA Downregulated the Expression of Cav-1 expression by using immunofluorescence and western blot: Compared with Sham-operation group, Sham EA group has significant differences at the time point of 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d after ICH (P< 0.05). Compared with Sham EA group, EA group has significant differences at 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d  after  ICH  (P  <  0.05).  Compared  with  Sham-operation  group,  EA  group  has  significant differences at 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d after ICH (P < 0.05). (4) EA Decreased the Activity of MMP-2/9  detected  by  in  situ  zymography:  Compared  with  Sham  EA  group,  EA  group  and  Shamoperation group both have significant differences at the time point of 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d after ICH (P < 0.05). Compared with Sham-operation group, EA group has differences at 1 d after ICH (P  <  0.05).  Conclusion:  the  present  results  suggested  that  electroacupuncture  on  GV20  can improve neurological deficit scores and reduce blood-brain barrier permeability after ICH, and the mechanism possiblytargets caveolin-1/matrix metalloproteinase/blood-brain barrier permeability pathway.

Key words: Intracerebral Hemorrhage, Electroacupuncture, Baihui (GV20), Caveolin-1, matrix metalloproteinase-2/9