Objective To observe the influence of scalp-acupuncture on the expression of acid-sensing ion channels(ASICs)1aand 2bof hippocampal CA 1region in cerebral ischemia(CI)rats

so as to investigate its mechanism underlying improvement of ischemic stroke.Methods Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly allocated to normal control

model

scalp-acupuncture and Amiloride group(n=8in each group).The model of focal CI was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO).Scalp acupuncture stimulation was applied to bilateral Dingnieqianxiexian(MS 6)and Dingniehouxiexian(MS 7)

once daily for 7days.Rats of the Amiloride group were fed with Amiloride solution

twice a day for 7days

and those of the normal control and model groups were grabbled and fixed in the same way with the acupuncture and Amiloride groups.The neurological deficit score was given according to Longa's method.The expression of hippocampal ASIC 1aand ASIC 2bwas detected by immunohistochemistry

and the Ca2+concentration in the hippocampal tissue assayed using flowing cytometry.Results After the intervention

the neurological deficit score of both the scalp-acupuncture and Amiloride groups were significantly decreased in comparison with pre-treatment(P<0.01)

and the effect of scalp-acupuncture was markedly superior to that of Amiloride in reducing neurological deficit score(P<0.05).The expression of ASIC 1aand ASIC 2bin the hippocampal CA 1region and hippocampal Ca2+concentration were significantly up-regulated in the model group compared with the normal control group(P<0.01)

and obviously down-regulated in both scalp-acupuncture and Amiloride groups(P<0.01

P<0.05)

without significant differences between the two treatment groups in the ASIC 1aand ASIC 2bexpression and Ca2+concentration(P>0.05).Conclusion Scalp-acupuncture stimulation can improve neurological function in CI rats

which may be related to its effects in suppressing the increased expression of hippocampal ASIC 1aand ASIC 2bproteins and in reducing calcium overload in hippocampal neurocytes.