Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture intervention on expression of glucose-regulated protein 78(Grp 78)and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)in the hippocampus in epilepsy rats so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of hyperspasmia-induced brain injury.Methods Forty-two SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group(n=6)

model group(n=18)

and acupuncture group(n=18).The epileptic seizure model was established by intraperitonel injection of Pentylenetetrazol(50mg/kg

2mL).Manual acupuncture stimulation of"Baihui"(GV 20)and "Dazhui"(GV 14)was conducted for rats of the acupuncture group for 30 min.Two hours(h)

12 hand 48hafter acupuncture intervention

the hippocampal tissue was sampled(6rats at each time-point).The expression levels of Grp 78 and CHOP proteins in the hippocampal CA 1region were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with the normal group

the expression levels of Grp 78 protein at time-points of 2hand 12 h

and those of CHOP protein at 2h

12 hand 48hafter epilpeptic seizure were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.01).After acupuncture treatment

the expression levels of Grp 78 at 12and 48 h were significantly increased

and those of CHOP protein at 2h

12 hand 24hin the acupuncture group were considerably downregulated(P<0.05

P<0.01).Conclusion Acupuncture treatment can up-regulate Grp 78 protein expression and down-regulate CHOP protein expression level in epilepsy rats

which may contribute to its protective effect on seizure-induced brain injury.