Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)combined with rehabilitation training on motor function and expression of neuronal growth associated protein 43(GAP-43)and synaptophysin(SYP)in hippocampal CA 3region in rats with focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury(CI/RI).Methods A total of 46 SD rats were randomized into normal control

CI/RI model

rehabilitation training(RT)

paralysis-side(unilateral)-EA+RT

and bilateral-EA+RT groups(n=6in the normal control group

and n=10in each of the other group).The CI/RI model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery(MCAO)and reperfusion.EA(5Hz/10 Hz

2mA)was applied to the unilateral"Quchi"(LI 11)and"Housanli"(ST 36)on the affected side or bilateral LI 11 and ST 36 for 30min

once daily for two weeks except the Sunday.The neurological deficit severity(Zea Longa score)was assessed 24 h

7and 14 days after modeling.The immunoactivity of GAP-43 and SYP in the CA3 region of the hippocampus was detected using immunohistochemistry.Pathological changes of the prefrontal cortex was observed after H.E.staining.Results Following modeling

the neurological deficit scores of the model

RT

unilateral-EA+RT and bilateral-EA+RT groups were gradually decreased

and were significantly lower on day 7and 14 in the bilateral-EA+RT group and on day 14 in the unilateral-EA+RT group than in the model group(P<0.05).The effect of the bilateral-EA+RT group was obviously superior to those of both RT and unilateral EA+RT groups in improving neurological function(P<0.05).Results of immunohistochemical staining displayed that the expression levels of GAP-43 and SYP in the CA 3region of hippocampus were significantly up-regulated in the model group than in the normal control group(P<0.05)

and further obviously up-regulated in both unilateral-and bilateral-EA+RT groups(P<0.05).No significant changes of GAP-43 and SYP protein expression in the RT group compared with the model group(P>0.05)

and the expression levels of GAP-43 and SYP protein in the bilateral-EA+RT were significantly higher than those in the unilateral EA+RT group(P<0.05).H.E.staining showed that the ischemic injury of cells(neuronal apoptosis and enlargement of intercellular space)of the prefrontal cortex was relatively milder in the EA+RT groups.Conclusion EA plus RT can promote the recovery of motor function in CI/RI rats

which may be associated with its function in increasing the expression of GAP-43 and SYP in hippocampal CA 3region.The effects of bilateral-EA+RT is obviously better than those of unilateral EA+RT.