Objective To observe the action of electroacupuncture(EA)intervention on the expression of gap junction protein connexin 43(Cx 43)and content of glutamate(Glu)in the striatum in Parkinson's disease(PD)rats

so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improvement of PD.Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control

sham operation

model and EA groups(n=10in each group).The PD model was duplicated by microinjection of 6-hydroxyldopamine(6-OHDA

15μg/rat)into the right striatum of rats(AP:1.0

1.0;R:3.0

4.5;H:4.5

6.0)

and for control

the same dose of normal saline was injected into the right striatum for rats in the sham operation group.EA(2Hz

1mA)was applied to"Fengfu"(GV 16)"Taichong"(LR 3)for 30 min

once a day for 2weeks.The PD rats' rotational behavior changes(the numbers of rotations in 30min)were detected following subcutaneous injection of apomorphine(0.5mg/kg).The Glu concentration and the expression of Cx 43 in the striatum were detected by using high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)and Western blot

respectively.Results No significant differences were found between the model group and EA group in the number of rotations before the treatment

between the control and sham operation groups in the levels of Glu content and Cx 43 protein expression in the striatum(P>0.05).Compared with the control group

the Glu content and Cx 43 protein expression level were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.01)

while in comparison with the model group

the number of rotations was significantly reduced in the EA group(P<0.05).Following EA intervention

both Glu content and Cx 43 expression were considerably downregulated in the EA group compared with the model group(P<0.05

P<0.01).Conclusion EA can improve PD rats' rotation behavior

which may be associated with its effects in down-regulating the level of Glu and Cx 43 protein expression in the striatum.