Objective To observe the effect of eye-acupuncture intervention on cerebro-cortical apoptosis of microvascular endothelial cells

neurons and astrocytes(main components of neurovascular unit)and the expression of Bad(an apoptosis promoter)and B-cell lymphoma-extra large(Bcl-xL)proteins in focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI)rats

so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of CIRI.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into control

sham-operation

model 3 h

model 24 h

model 72 h

eye-acupuncture 3 h

eye-acupuncture 24 hand eye-acupuncture 72 hgroups(n=12 in each group).The CIRI model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R).Eye-acupuncture was applied to bilateral"Gan"(Liver)regions

"Shen"(Kidney)regions

"Shangjiao"(Upper-energizer)and"Xiajiao"(Lower-energizer)for 20 min

once 3 hand every 12 hafter modeling.The expression levels of Bad and Bcl-xL in the ischemic cerebral cortex tissue were detected by Western blot.The apoptotic neurons

microvascular endothelial cells and astrocytes were assayed by immunofluorescence double labeling(Nestin/TUNEL

CD34/TUNEL and glial fibrillary acidic protein[GFAP]/TUNEL)separately.Results After modeling

the numbers of apoptotic neurons

microvascular endothelial cells and astrocytes in the ischemic cerebral cortex tissue were significantly increased in the model 72 hgroup than in the sham-operation group(P<0.01).Following the treatment

the numbers of the 3 types of apoptotic cells were markedly lower in the eye-acupuncture 72 hgroup than in the model72 hgroup(P<0.01).The expression levels of Bad and Bcl-xL proteins were notably up-regulated in the model 3 h

model 24 h and model 72 hgroups than in the sham operation group(P<0.01).Following eye-acupuncture intervention

modeling induced increase of the Bad expression were obviously reversed in eye-acupuncture 24 hand eye-acupuncture 72 hgroups than those in the2 model groups(P<0.05).And the increase of Bcl-xL expression levels were further increased in the eye-acupuncture groups in comparison with those in the 3 model groups(P<0.01).Conclusion Eye-acupuncture can down-regulate the expression of Bad protein

and up-regulate the expression of Bcl-xL protein in the ischemic cerebral cortex in CIRI rats

which may contribute to its function in reducing apoptotic neurons

microvascular endothelial cells and astrocytes

suggesting aprotective effect of eye-acupuncture intervention on neurovascular unit.