Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)on superoxide(SOD)

glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)activity

contents of glutathione(GSH)and malondiadehyde(MDA)

and expression of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)and apoptosis of Dopaminergic(DA)neurons in Substantia Nigra of rats with Parkinson's disease(PD).Methods Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal(10rats)

model(11rats)

EA(11rats)and medication(11rats)groups.The PD model was established by i.h.of Rotenone(0.8mg/kg)for 28days.EA stimulation(2Hz/80Hz

2mA)was applied at"Baihui"(GV 20)

"Sanyinjiao"(SP 6)and"Taichong"(LR 3)acupoints for 10min

once per day for 14times.For rats in the medication group

Madopar suspension fluid(1.67mg/kg)was given by gavage for 14days.Xanthine oxidase method and colorimetric analysis method were used to examine the SOD

GSH-Px activity and contents of GSH and MDA in the Substantia Nigra tissue of the right brain

respectively.Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the TH positive neurons and TUNEL method was used to examine the apoptosis of DA neurons of the Substantia Nigra in the left brain.Results Following the intervention

the decreased SOD and GSH-Px activity

GSH contents

and the increased MDA content of the Substantia Nigra in PD rats were obviously reversed by EA intervention(P<0.05)but not by medication except MDA content(P>0.05).In comparison with the model group

the decreased TH immunoactivity

and the increased numbers of apoptotic cells of DA neurons were apparently suppressed in both EA and medication groups(P<0.05)

but without significant differences between the EA and the medication groups(P>0.05).In addition

HE stain showed that EA intervention could improve PD-induced impairment of Substantia Nigra neurons(mild swelling of neurons with large nucleus and deranged fibers).Conclusion EA intervention can reduce pathological changes of Substantial Nigra in PD rats

which is probably associated with its effects in up-regulating the SOD and GSH-Px activity

GSH contents

and down-regulating MDA level

and reducing the apoptosis of DA neurons of the Substantia Nigra

suggesting an anti-oxidative stress effect of EA therapy.