FANG Chenchen, JIN Xiaolu, SHEN Meihong

（1 Second Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing Jiangsu 210023）

Abstract:  Objective:  Methods:  Results:  Conclusion:To  explore  whether  the  Nrf2  signaling  pathway  is involved  in  the  protective  effect  of  electroacupuncture  through  the  apoptosis  mechanism  in  cerebral ischemia-reperfusion  model.  Methods:  Both  wild  type  (WT)  and  Nrf2  knockout  type  (KO)  mice  were randomly divided into electrocardiographic group, model group and sham operation group. The number of effective cases in each group was 30 cases. In the model group and the electroacupuncture group, the right middle  cerebral  artery  occlusion  model  was  established  by  modified  Longa  suture  method,  2h  later ischemia reperfusion for 24h. Electroacupuncture group of mice tied to "Baihui", "Dazhui" with electroacupuncture at the same time as the ischemia reperfusion. Cerebral ischemia and reperfusion were used to evaluate the functional activity of mice in accordance with Julio's neurobehavioral score. The volume of cerebral infarction was observed by TTC staining. Bax and Bcl-2 were detected by immunohistochemistry and image analysis system.And the mRNA expression of Bax and Bcl-2 were observed by RT -PCR. Results SPSS 23.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results:  In the WT group, compared with the model group, the neurobehavioral scores are increased, the volume of cerebral infarction of the electroacupuncture group are  decreased  significantly  (P  <0.05),the  number  of  Bax-positive  cells  and  the  average  optical  density decreased, the mRNA content decreased, the number of Bcl-2 positive cells and the average optical density increased, the mRNA content increased, the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05,P<0.01) .There was no significant difference in the eurobehavioral score, the infarct volume, Bax and Bcl-2 positive cells, mean optical density and  mRNA content between the electroacupuncture group and  the model group. There was no significant difference between the cerebral infarction volume and the number of Bax, Bcl-2 positive cells,  the average optical density and mRNA contents between the WT model group and the KO model  group.  Compared  with  the  KO  electroacupuncture  group,  The  number  of  Bax-positive  cells  ,the average  optical  density  and  the  mRNA  content  decreased,  while  the  Bcl-2  increased  in  the  WT electroacupuncture  group  the  differences  were  statistically  significant(P ＜ 0.01).  Conclusion:Electroacupuncture has a certain inhibitory effect on apoptosis, and its mechanism may be related to Nrf2 related pathways.

Key words: Electroacupuncture , Cerebral ischemia reperfusion , Nrf2 , Apoptosis