Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on mitochondrial membrane potential and neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex of rats with focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(CI/R) injury.Methods Thirty-six male SD rats were uniformly randomized into sham operation(sham)

CI/R and CI/R+ EA groups.CI/R model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) and reperfusion.EA(2/15 Hz

1 mA) was applied to "Shuigou"(GV 26) and "Baihui"(GV 20) for 30 min after CI/R.The mitochondrial membrane potential and neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex(fronto-parietal lobes) in each group were detected by flow cytometer(FCM).Results In comparison with sham group

the mitochondrial membrane potential of CI/R group decreased significantly(P<0.01)

while compared with CI/R group

it increased remarkably in CI/R+EA group(P<0.01).The percentage of neuronal apoptosis in CI/R group was significantly higher than that in sham group(P<0.01)

and that of CI/R+EA group was significantly lower than that of CI/R group(P<0.01).Conclusion EA can alleviate CI/R injury partially by up-regulating the mitochondrial membrane potential

which may contribute to its effect in reducing cerebral neuronal apoptosis.