Objective To investigate the underlying mechanism of electroacupuncture(EA)in anti-apoptosis effects in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CI/RI)rats.Methods Forty-eight SD rats were randomized into sham-operation(sham)

model and acupuncture groups with 16 cases in each.CI/RI model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 2 h and reperfusion for 24 h.Neuronal apoptosis and expression levels of the cerebral bcl-2 and caspase-3 after administration of EA(MS 6

MS 7)were detected by immunohistochemistry.Whole blood viscosity

erythrocyte deformability and erythrocyte agreeability in rats after local CI/RI were assayed by using Automatic Blood Rheometer.Results In comparison with control group

bcl-2 and caspase-3 immunoactivity of the ischemic cerebral tissue

high

medium and low shear rates

aggregation index and rigidity index of the erythrocytes in model group increased significantly(P<0.05)

while the erythrocyte deformity index reduced strikingly(P<0.05).Compared with model group

bcl-2 immunoactivity and erythrocyte deformity of acupuncture group increased remarkably(P<0.05)

and caspase-3 immunoactivity

high

medium and low shear rates of the whole blood viscosity

and erythrocyte aggregation index and rigidity index decreased considerably after acupuncture(P<0.05)

suggesting an improvement of the erythrocyte deformability and agreeability after acupuncture.Conclusion Acupuncture can resist neuronal apoptosis during CI/RI

which may be closely associated with its effects in upregulating bcl-2 expression

downregulating caspase-3 expression.Moreover

acupuncture can significantly improve the erythrocyte deformability and reduce blood viscosity and erythrocyte agreeability.