Objective: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on plasma soluble intercellular adhesion molecule(sICAM)-1 and endothelin(ET)-1 contents in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(CI/R) rats for revealing the underlying mechanism of acupuncture in preventing CI/R induced vascular endothelium injury. Methods: A total of 40 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control(n=10)

sham-operation(n=10)

model(n=10)

and EA(n=10) groups.CI/R model was established by electrocoagulation of the right external carotid artery and occlusion of the middle cerebral artery(MCA) with a nylon thread(burned global end) for 30 min and reperfusion under anesthesia(10% chloral hydrate

300 mg/kg).EA(4/16 Hz

1-3 V) was applied to "Baihui"(GV 20) and "Shuigou"(GV 26) for 30 min

and once again 12 hours later.Twenty-four hrs after CI/R

blood sample was collected by excising the rat's eyeballs for assaying plasma sICAM-1 and ET-1 contents with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and radioimmune methods respectively. Results: In comparison with control group

both sICAM-1 and ET-1 contents in model group increased significantly(P<0.01)

while in comparison with model group

these two indexes of EA group decreased significantly(P<0.05).No significant differences were found between control and sham-operation groups in these two indexes. Conclusion: EA intervention can effectively reduce CI/R induced vascular endothelia injury

which may contribute to its action in clinically improving cerebral ischemia.