Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture of “Baihui"(GV 20) and“Dazhui"(GV 14) on the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH PX) and the neuronal apoptosis in hippocampal region in vascular dementia rats. Methods:Thirty six Wistar aging rats were randomly and evenly divided into sham operation

model

acupuncture and medication groups. Vascular dementia model was established by occlusion of the bilateral common carotid arteries and reperfusion. In acupuncture group

“Baihui"(GV 20) and “Dazhui"(GV 14) were punctured with filiform needles and stimulated for 5?min by twirling the needles swiftly. In medication group

the rats were fed with Piracetum liquid (40 mg/mL

6 mL/kg) via gastric tube. The treatment of two groups was conducted once daily

continuously for 30 days. GSH PX activity of the hippocampus was determined with TdT mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling technique and apoptosis was detected with TUNEL method. Rats' behavior reaction was tested with active avoidance method (shuttle box). Results: The foot shock times and duration of model group were significantly more and longer than those of sham operation group ( P <0.001)

while in comparison with model group

these two indexes of acupuncture and medication groups were significantly lower ( P <0.01). No significant differences were found between acupuncture and medication groups in these two indexes

suggesting that both acupuncture and medication can improve the memory of VD rats. In comparison with sham operation group

GSH PX activity decreased significantly ( P < 0 001 ); whereas compared with model group

GSH PX activity of both acupuncture and medication groups increased considerably ( P <0.01)

and the effect of acupuncture group was significantly superior to that of medication group ( P <0.05). Results of HE staining indicated that in model group

there were a large number of apoptotic neurons in CA 1 area of the hippocampus

while the situation was apparently better in acupuncture and medication groups. Conclusion: Acupuncture of “Baihui" and “Dazhui" can apparently ameliorate the learning and memory ability of VD rats

raise GSH PX activity and reduce neuronal injury of the hippocampal region.