Abstract:

To explore the effects of electroacupuncture on the expression of growth associated protein（GAP43）in the hippocampus， striatum and motor cortex  of  neonatal asphyxial cerebral palsy rats, and to explore the significance and mechanism of electroacupuncture in the treatment of cerebral palsy. Methods72 7dSpragueDawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the sham operation group (n=24), the CP model group (n=24) and the CP+ electroacupuncture group (n=24). The cerebral palsy model was established by occlusion of the left common carotid artery and inhalation of 8％ oxygen plus 92％ nitrogen for 2 hours．　The electroacupuncture group began treatment 24?h after the operations. 6 rats in each group were killed and brains taken on 3, 7,14, and 21?d after the operations. HE staining and immunohistochemical staining (SABC method) were performed. The mean optical density and surface density of GAP43 in the left hippocampus， striatum and motor cortex were determined by ImagePro Plus. ResultsExpression of GAP43 was found at each time point in the sham operation group, which was significantly lower than that in the left hippocampus， striatum, and motor cortex of the model and electroacupuncture groups（P＜0.01）. Expression of GAP43 in the electroacupuncture group was more than that in the model group at most time points with significant differences（P＜0.01 or P＜0.05）. ConclusionElectroacupuncture could promote expression of GAP43 in neonatal asphyxial cerebral palsy rats, accordingly promotes the nerve cell regeneration and synapse reconstitution, which  may contribute to the effect of acupuncture in improving cerebral palsy.

Key words: Cerebral palsy； Electroacupuncture； GAP43