Objective: To explore the role of cytochrome oxida se (COX) in the occurrence o f diabetes mellitus (DM) with concomitant cerebral ischemia and observe the effe ct of acupuncture on COX activity in the hippocampal tissues. Methods: A total o f 22 female Wistar rats

weighing about 150 g

were used in the present study. D M model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin ( 60 mg/k g) 4 days before experimental cerebral ischemia. Cerebral ischemia (CI) model was established by using two-vessel (bilateral common carotid arteries) occlusion an d reperfusion method. The occlusion and reperfusion were repeated twice. Bl ood sugar level was detected 7 days after STZ-administration. The animals with th e blood glucose concentration being more than 15.5 mmol/L were selected as diabet ic rats. At the same time

acupuncture of “Baihui”(GV 20)

“Sanyinjiao”(SP 6)

etc. was given once every other day

20 sessions altogether. The animals were divided into normal control group (n=5)

DM+sham-operation gro up (n=5)

DM+CI gr oup (n=6) and DM+CI +acupuncture group (n=6). Af ter treatment the rats were kill ed for collecting brain samples. Cytochemical staining method was used to detect the activity of COX in CA1 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus. COX-positive rea ct ion (30 areas/section) was analyzed with MIS 2000 image analyzer. Resul ts: COX-re action positive neurons and buttons were found in both CA1 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus. The optical density (OD) values of COX-reaction products in DM+CI group (CA1: 2 66 .2±15.6

CA3: 386.1±27.6) were markedly lower than those in normal co ntrol group (CA1: 347.9±66.2

CA3: 462.6±43.8; P<0.001). C omparison between DM +CI+acupuncture group and DM+CI group showed that the OD values of the former gr oup were significantly higher than those of the later group (CA1:336.3±40.8 vs 266.2±15.6

P<0.001; CA3:447.1±36.8 vs 386.1± 27.6

P<0.001). Conclusion: In DM and DM+CI rats

COX activity in the hippocampus lowered or significantly lowere d

while after acupuncture treatment

it increased significantly

meaning an imp rovement of the metabolism in the brain tissues

which may contribute to the the rapeutic effect of acupuncture in the treatment of DM combined with cerebral isc hemia.