电针可有效地改善这一病理状态Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the content of TH in mesencephalic substantia nigra (MSN) of PD rats. Methods: 40 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=10)
sham operation group (n=10)
EA group (n=10) and Parkinson's disease (PD) group (n=10). The PD rat models was made by injecting 6 OHDA (3.4 μL) into MSN (to injure unilateral part) according to the modified Ungerstedt's method. "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Taichong" (LR 3) were punctured with filiform needles and then the needle handles were connected to a G6805 Electroacupuncture Therapeutic Apparatus for stimulating the acupoints with continuous waves
frequency of 120 rpm
appropriate strength (inducing slight muscular tremor) and duration of 30 min
once daily continuously for 7 days. The sections of the midbrain tissues were stained with ABC method for detecting positive TH neurons. Results: In PD rats (PD group)
the number of TH positive neurons in SN compact (SNC) area
SN lateral (SNL) area of the injured side were obviously lower than those of normal group and sham operation group (P<0.01). While no significant changes was found in TH positive neuron number of the uninjured side. In EA group
the number of TH positive neurons of SNC and SNL on the injured side were markedly higher than that of PD group on the injured side (P<0.05) but significantly lower than that of normal group and uninjured side of the same group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Results suggest that EA may improve the hypofunctional state in dopamine synthesis of MSN dopaminergic neurons in PD rats.