In the present paper

we summarized the relevant research literature on the underlying mechanism of electroacupuncture(EA)intervention in improving cerebral ischemia(CI)in middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)model rats in recent5 years from preconditioning and regular intervention.Outcomes showed that both EA preconditioning and regular intervention could relieve CI by reducing toxicity of excitatory amino acids(glutamate

aspartate)and TLR4/NF-κB-mediated inflammatory cascade reaction to relieve inflammatory injury.Moreover

EA preconditioning also could suppress the expression of pro-apoptosis genes and proteins to relieve apoptosis

regulate activation of microglia

and down-regulate the expression of blood brain barrier integrity-related matrix metalloprotein 9.Regular EA intervention also could promote angiogenesis to increase supply of blood and oxygen

facilitate regeneration

proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells via triggering activation of Notch and Shh signaling pathways

and promote the secretion of neurotrophin by up-regulating the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor/Trk A receptor

and promote expression of axon growth and synaptic remodeling-related factor(Ephrin B2/Eph B2)and sr-GTPase activating protein 1 and cell division cycle 42(Cdc42

axon growth and orientated down-stream molecules).However

up to now

the conclusion is still fragmentary and one-sided

and can not explain the specific mechanism of electroacupuncture in MCAO rats

needing further in-depth study.