Objective To observe the effect of scalp-acupuncture intervention on the expression of Interleukin(IL)-10 mRNA

IL-6 mRNA and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αin the parahippocampal gyrus of cerebral ischemia(CI)rats

so as to explore its molecular mechanisms underlying improvement of CI.Methods A total of 64 male SD rats were randomized into normal control

model

medication and scalp-acupuncture groups(n=16 rats in each group).The focal CI model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion.Intraperitoneal injection of Ammonium Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate(100 mg·kg

(-1)

·d(-1)·d

(-1)

)was administrated for rats in the medication group

once a day for 7 days.For rats of the scalp-acupuncture group

the acupuncture needles were rapidly inserted into bilateral Dingnieqianxiexian(MS6)

followed by twirling the needles at 100 cycles/min for 1 min

once again every 10 min during 20 min'needle retention.The treatment was conducted once a day for 7 days.The neurologic deficit score(0-4 points

impaired consciousness

death

etc.)and neurological function score(motor

sensory and sensory tests

0-10 points)were assessed according to Longa's(1989)and Schabitz's(2004)methods

respectively.The expression levels of IL-10 mRNA and IL-6 mRNA were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR

and the expression of TNF-αwas detected by immunohistochemistry.Results After modeling

the neurologic deficit and neurological function scores and the expression levels of IL-10 mRNA

IL-6 mRNA and TNF-αprotein in the parahippocampus were significantly increased in the model group than in the normal control group(P

<

0.01).Following the intervention

the neurologic deficit and neurological function scores as well as IL-6 mRNA and TNF-αprotein expression were significantly down-regulated in both scalp-acupuncture and medication groups(P

<

0.05)

and the expression of IL-10 mRNA was obviously increased(P

<

0.05)relevant to the model group.Conclusion Scalp-acupuncture can improve neurologic function in CI rats

which is related to its effects in up-regulating the expression of IL-10

then down-regulating the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α(reducing inflammatory response)in the parahippocampal gyrus.