Electroacupuncture and Brain Protection against Cerebral Ischemia: Specific Effects of Acupoints

Figure 3

Representative trace recordings of the blood flow. Blood perfusion (PU), concentration of moving blood cells (CMBC), and Velocity of blood cells (Velocity) were measured in the ischemic rats by a laser Doppler perfusion monitor system. (a) Effect of MCAO-60 min on CBF during ischemia and reperfusion in the Ischemia group. (b) Effect of EA at acupoints Du 20 and Du 26 on CBF. (c) Effect of EA at left LI 11 and PC 6 on CBF. (d) Effect of EA at acupoints right LI 11 and PC 6 on CBF. (e) Effect of EA at acupoints left SP 6 and GB 34 on CBF. Note that the PU and CMBC decreased immediately after the right middle cerebral artery was occluded by a nylon suture. The blood flow was kept at a low level with fluctuant waves during the entire MCAO duration. After onset of reperfusion, PU and CMBC increased while the velocity further decreased. EA at right LI 11 and PC 6 acupoints induced no significant change in the CBF during or after MCAO. EA at left SP 6 and GB 34 acupoints induced no significant change in the CBF during the early stages of MCAO, but slightly increased the CMBC after a 10–15 min period of EA. EA stimulation at acupoints Du 20 and Du 26 or left LI 11 and PC 6 induced an isochronous increase in PU and CMBC with a decrease in velocity. After reperfusion, PU, CMBC, and Velocity all increased rapidly and reached the baseline values.

(a)  Effect of 60-minute MCAO on cortical blood flow

(b) Effect of EA at “Baihui” (Du 20) and “Shuigou” (Du 26) on cortical blood flow

(c) Effect of EA at left “Quchi” (LI 11) and “Neiguan” (PC 6) on cortical blood flow

(d) Effect of EA at right “Quchi” (LI 11) and “Neiguan” (PC 6) on cortical blood flow

(e) Effect of EA at left “Sanyinjiao” (SP 6) and “Yanglingquan” (GB 34) on cortical blood flow