针刺组 3、6、1 2、2 4hrTGF β1表达的总面积及 6、1 2、2 4hrTGF β1表达的积分光度均较同时段模型组明显升高 (P <0 0 5或P <0 0 1 )。结论 :针刺对保护半暗带神经元具有重要意义Objective: To observe changes of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 expression in neurons of the brain after cerebral ischemia and acupuncture of the "twelve Jing points" in the rats. Methods: 96 Wistar rats were randomized into model group (n=30)
acupuncture group (n=30)
sham-operation group (n=30) and control group (n=6)
the former 3 groups were further evenly divided into 1
3
6
12 and 24 hr subgroups. The rat focal cerebral ischemia model was made by photochemical method to block blood flow of the middle cerebral artery. The "twelve Jing points"(LU-11
LI-1
PC-9
TE-1
HT-9
SI-1) were punctured with filiform needles
starting respectively at 1
3
6
12
24 hr after establishing ischemia models
once daily
6 times altogether. 6 days later
the rats were put to death for taking the brain tissue sample (ischemic region) that was then cut into coronal slices. Immuno-histochemical staining was performed for displaying changes of TGF-β1 expression of the cerebral neurons in the penumbra region. Then image analysis was conducted. Results: In comparison with sham-operation and control groups
TGF-β1 expression area of model group increased significantly (P<0. 01) from 3 hr on after cerebral ischemia. Compared with model group
TGF-β1 expression area of acupuncture group increased further significantly from 3 hr on after cerebral ischemia (P< 0.05
0.01). The integral luminosity value of various groups presented a similar tendency in spite of appearing later (6 hr after cerebral ischemia) in the significant difference. Morphological observation indicated that TGF-β1 expression came from microgliocytes and phagocytes. Conclusion: The results prove that acupuncture can significantly upregulate TGF-β1 expression
which maybe contribute to the protection effect of acupuncture on ischemic cerebral neurons.