EFFECT OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE ON CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW, VIP AND ET IN RATS WITH VASCULAR DEMENTIA

Objective: To investigate the relationship between electroacupuncture (EA)-induced improvement of regional cerebral blood flow and the alternations of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and endothelin (ET) in rats with experimental vascular dementia (VD). Methods: 40 Wistar rats were evenly randomized into sham-operation, model, medication (Nimotone) and EA groups. Vascular dementia model was established by repeated cerebral ischemia-reperfusion which was induced by occlusion and reopen of the bilateral common carotid arteries. EA (2～200 Hz, 2～3 mA) was applied to "Baihui"(GV 20), "Dazhui"(GV 14) and "Zusanli"(ST 36) for 30 min, once daily and continuously for 15 days. The regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in parietal lobe and hippocampus was determined with method of hydrogen clearance; a step-down avoidance test was adopted to observe the rats’ behavior change; and plasma VIP and ET contents were assayed by radioimmunoassay. Results: In comparison with sham-operation group, the correct rate of step-down avoidance test, rCBF in parietal lobe and hippocampus and plasma VIP level in VD model group lowered significantly (P<0.01) and plasma ET increased considerably (P<0.01). However, compared with model group, the correct rate of step-down avoidance test, rCBF values and plasma VIP in EA group raised obviously while plasma ET declined significantly. No significant differences were found between EA and medication groups in the 4 indexes. Conclusion: EA can raise rCBF in the parietal lobe and hippocampus, elevate plasma VIP level and reduce plasma ET in rats with VD.

Effect of Chinese Patent Medicine Naodesheng against Repeated Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia in Mice

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and possible mechanisms of Chinese ptent medicine Naodesheng（NDS） on repeated transient global cerebral ischemia（GCI） in mice. Methods The repeated transient GCI mice were induced by bilateral carotid arteries ligation, and were randomly divided into model group, Sham group without arteries ligation, NDS groups（1.25 and 2.5 g/kg） and positive control（vinpocetine 3.1 mg/kg, VP） group. After oral administration once daily for successive 7 d, the transient GCI was induced. The degree of neurological deficit, histological changes, and neurons loss in the hippocampus were evaluated. In order to investigate the possible mechanisms, the oxidative stress and inflammatory factor were measured after 24 h of GCI. Comparison among multiple groups was performed with one-way analysis of variance（ANOVA）. Results NDS could significantly alleviate the neurological function impairment, histological injury, and neurons loss, increase the superoxide dismutase（SOD） activity, decrease the content of malondialdehyde（MDA）, and reduce inflammatory factor in the ischemic brain tissue. Conclusion NDS could significantly reduce brain injury induced by global ischemia, and its mechanism is closely associated with anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation.