Effect of Electroacupuncture on Rat Ischemic Brain Injury: Importance of Stimulation Duration

Figure 2

Representative trace recordings of the blood flow in the rats with or without EA. 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 after reperfusion in Ischemia group. (b) Effect of EA for 5 min at acupoints of Du 20 and Du 26 on CBF. (c) Effect of EA for 15 min on CBF. (d) Effect of EA for 30 min on CBF. (e) Effect of EA for 45 min on CBF. Note that the PU and CMBC decreased immediately after MCAO and the blood flow was maintained at a low level with small fluctuations during the entire period of MCAO with a slight decrease in the velocity. After the onset of reperfusion, PU and CMBC increased with a further decrease in the velocity. EA induced an isochronous increase in PU and CMBC with a decrease in velocity during MCAO. After reperfusion, PU, CMBC, and velocity all increased rapidly and reached the baseline values within 15 min after reperfusion onset in groups of EA for 5–30 min. EA for 45 min, however, induced a greater decrease in PU, CMBC, and velocity than the changes observed in the Ischemia group after reperfusion.

(a) Effect of 60 min MCAO on the blood flow

(b) Effect of EA-5 min on the blood flow under ischemia

(c) Effect of EA-15 min on the blood flow under ischemia

(d) Effect of EA-30 min on the blood flow under ischemia

(e) Effect of EA-45 min on the blood flow under ischemia