Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivators-1-alpha(PGC-1α)

Irisin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the ischemic peripheral cortex

hippocampus and local skeletal muscle in rats with focal cerebral ischemic/reperfusion injury(CI/RI)

so as to explore its underlying mechanism of improving of CI/RI. Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham-operation

model and EA(11 rats in each group). The focal CI/RI model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO). EA(2 Hz/15 Hz

2 to 4 mA) was applied to “Quchi”(LI11) and “Zusanli”(ST36) of the affected side for 20 min

once a day for 7 days. Zea-Longa's score and Balance Beam score were used to evaluate the neurological and motor functions. The infarcted volume of the brain was detected by using 2

3

5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The expression levels of PGC-1α

fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5(FNDC5) and BDNF proteins in the ischemic peripheral cortex

hippocampus and local skeletal muscle were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with the sham-operation group

the Zea-Longa's score

Balance Beam score

percentage of cerebral infarct volume were notably increased(P<0.01)

while the expression levels of PGC-1α

FNDC5 and BDNF proteins in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus(not in the local muscle) were significantly down-regulated in the model group(P<0.01

P<0.05). In comparison with the model group

the increase of Zea-Longa's score

Balance Beam score

percentage of cerebral infarct volume

and the decrease of expression levels of PGC-1α

FNDC5 and BDNF proteins in the ischemic peripheral cortex and that of BDNF in the hippocampus were reversed in the EA group(P<0.01

P<0.05). No significant changes were found in the expression levels of hippocampal PGC-1α and FNDC5 proteins in the hippocampus and those of PGC-1α

FNDC5 and BDNF proteins in the local muscle after EA intervention(P>0.05). Conclusion EA can improve neurological and motor functions and reduce cerebral infarction volume in CI/RI rats

which may be related to its functions in activating PGC-1α/Irisin(FNDC5)/BDNF pathway in the cerebral cortex.