Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)on hippocampal apoptosis protein caspase-9 expression and neuroethology in hyperlipemia plus cerebral ischemia(HL-CI)rats.Methods Seventy male SD rats were randomized into control

hyperlipemia(HL)

CI

HL-CI

CI+EA

HL-CI+EAⅠ

and HL-CI+EA Ⅱgroups

with 10 cases in each.HL model was established by feeding the animals with high fat forage for 6 weeks and CI model was established by occlusion of the unilateral middle cerebral artery.EA(1-3 mA

15 Hz)was applied to bilateral "Sanyinjiao"(SP 6)and "Fenglong"(ST 40)for 20 min every time;and "Baihui"(GV 20)and "Shuigou"(GV 26)were punctured and stimulated by twirling the acupuncture needle with hand continuously for 1 min.Acupuncture was given once daily for 17 days(beginning from the 10th day on before CI)in HL-CI+EA Ⅰ group

and for 7 days(beginning after CI)in HL-CI+EA Ⅱ group.The expression of hippocampal Caspase-9 was detected with immunohistochemistry.The score of neuroethology was also measured according to modified Bederson's method.Results In comparison with normal control and hyperlipemia model groups

Caspase-9 immune reaction(IR)positive cells in the hippocampus in HL-CI group increased significantly(P<0.01).After acupuncture Caspase-9 IR-positive cells decreased remarkably.In comparison with group HL-CI+EA Ⅱ

Caspase-9 IR-positive cells decreased significantly in HL-CI+EA Ⅰ(P<0.01).The score of neuroethology also degraded obviously.Conclusion Acupuncture can improve neuroethology symptom

lessen over expression of hippocampal Caspase-9

and prevent CI injury in hyperlipemia rats with concurrent CI.