Objective: To research the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) of head acupoints on the contents of serum cAMP and β-EP in rats with acute cerebral infarction(CI).Methods: Ninety SD rats were randomized into normal group(10 rats)

model group(40 rats) and EA group(40 rats) according to random number table.Rats of model and EA groups were respectively and evenly divided into 6 h

24 h

48 h

and 72 h subgroups.Acute CI model was produced by occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery.After penetration needling from "Baihui"(GV 20) to "Qianding"(GV 21

i.e.MS 5)

and "Shuaigu"(GB 8) to "Xuanli"(GB 6)

EA(strength 1-2 mA

frequency 30 Hz

continuous waves) was applied for 30 min

once every 12 hours for 24 h

48 h and 72 h subgroups.Blood samples were taken separately for assaying the contents of serum cAMP and β-EP with radioimmunoassay(RIA).Results: In comparison with normal group

serum cAMP levels of all the subgroups of model group

and 6 h and 24 h subgroups of EA group lowered remarkably(P<0.05

0.01)

while β-EP levels of all the subgroups of model group

and 6 h and 24 h subgroups of EA group increased significantly(P<0.05

0.01).Compared with subgroups of model group

serum cAMP content of 72 h subgroup of EA group was significantly higher(P<0.05)

while β-EP contents of 24 h

48 h and 72 h subgroups of EA group decreased considerably(P<0.05

0.01).It indicated that after CI

serum cAMP level decreased markedly

while serum β-EP level increased obviously;after EA

both serum cAMP and β-EP levels turned to normal gradually.Conclusion: EA of head acupoints can suppress CI-induced abnormal decrease of serum cAMP content and increase of β-EP level

which may contribute to the favorable effect of EA in treating acute cerebral infarction.