Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture on changes of neurological function and expression of proteins in the ischemic brain region in middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)rats with protein chip technique

so as to reveal the profiles of cerebral proteins related to its effectiveness in improving cerebral ischemia(CI).Methods SD rats were randomized into sham operation(sham)

CI model

non-acupoint and acupoint groups(n=10in each group).The CI model was established by MCAO according to modified Longa's method.For rats of the acupoint group

"Dazhui"(CV 14)

"Baihui"(GV 20)and"Shuigou"(GV 26)were punctured by twirling the filiform needles for about 1min

and repeated once again during 30 min of needle retention

which was conducted once every 12 h

and 6times altogether.The non-acupoints were about 3mm away from the above-mentioned acupoints and stimulated with the same method and same procedures.The neurological deficit score was scaled according to Longa's method.The differentially-expressed proteins(≥1.5folds in up-and down-regulation)in the ischemic region of the brain were detected by using Springbio 720 antibody chip technology.Results Compared with the sham group

the neurological deficit score was significantly higher in the model group(P<0.01)

while compared with the model group

the neurological deficit scores were considerably in both acupoint and non-acupoint groups(P<0.05

P<0.01).The therapeutic effect of acupoint group was evidently superior to that of the non-acupoint group in improving neurological function(P<0.05).Compared with the sham group

the differentially-expressed proteins in the ischemic brain including 33up-regulated and 12down-regulated were found in the model group

mainly functioning in cell apoptosis

cell cycle regulation

cell differentiation and proliferation

cell cytoskeleton and connection

cell signal transduction

DNA repair and transcription factors.Compared with the model group

the differentially-expressed proteins including 12up-regulated and 31down-regulated in the acupoint group

and 15up-regulated and 17down-regulated in the non-acupoint group were detected

functioning being the same as those mentioned above in the model group.Conclusion Manual acupuncture stimulation of GV 14

GV 20 and GV 26 can improve neurological function in CI rats

which may be associated with its function in regulating the expression of many proteins in the ischemic region of the brain.