Abstract Objective To investigate the expression of erythropoietin (EPO) after acupuncture preconditioning plus focal cerebral ischemia treatment. Methods Rat focal cerebral ischemia model and acupuncture preconditioning model were established. Animals were randomly assigned into different groups: control (focal cerebral ischemia) and acupuncture preconditioning plus focal cerebral ischemia, with 8 rats for each group. The expression of EPO after different treatments was determined by histological examination, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Results The mRNA and protein expressions of EPO could be detected in survival and necrotic neurons, glia as well as vascular endothelial cells. Focal cerebral ischemia promoted the expression of EPO. Significant enhanced EPO level was found in the ischemic peripheral zone after acupuncture preconditioning (P < 0.05). Conclusion Our results demonstrated that acupuncture preconditioning enhanced the expression of EPO in neurons, glia and vascular endothelial cells the ischemic peripheral zone, suggesting the involvement of EPO in acupuncture preconditioning-induced neuroprotection following focal cerebral ischemia. EPO may exert neuroprotective effects through promoting neurotrophic support and angiogenesis.
Neuroprotective effect of ethyl acetate extract from gastrodia elata against transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion
