Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture(Acupunct) on cerebral infarction volume and expression of poly ADP ribose polymerase 1(PARP1)

apoptosis-inducing factor(AIF) and endonuclease G(Endo-G) in the cerebral cortex tissue at different time-points after cerebral ischemia(CI) in acute cerebral infarction rats

so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in prolonging time window of thrombolysis. Methods Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation

model

intravenous thrombolysis(IVT)-4.5 h

IVT-6 h

IVT-9 h

Acupunct+IVT-4.5 h

Acupunct +IVT-6 h

Acupunct+IVT-9 h groups(n=6 in each group). The CI model was established by using modified autologous thromboembolism via the right common carotid artery. Two hours after modeling

rats of the Acupunct groups received Acupunct stimulation of "Shuigou"(GV26) and bilateral "Neiguan"(PC6) for 30 min. Thrombolysis was conducted by injection of recombinant human tissue-type plasminogen activator(rt-PA

10 mg/kg) via caudal vein. The neurological deficit was assessed with reference to Bederson's methods. 2

3

5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining was used to assess the cerebral infarction volume

and the expression of cerebral PARP1

AIF and Endo-G proteins detected by Western blot. Results Compared with the sham operation group

the neurological score and percentage of cerebral infarction volume

expression levels of PARP1

AIF and Endo-G proteins were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.01

P<0.05). After the intervention

modeling-induced increase of the aforementioned indexes was reversed in the IVT-4.5 h

Acupunct+IVT-4.5 h and Acupunct+IVT-6 h groups(P<0.05)

except PARP1 expression of the Acupunct+IVT 6 h group(P>0.05). The levels of neurological score

percentage of cerebral infarction volume

and AIF expression were significantly lower in both the Acupunct+IVT 4.5 h and Acupunct+IVT-6 h groups than in the simple IVT-4.5 h and simple IVT-6 h groups

respectively(P<0.05)

and the expression levels of PARP1 and Endo-G proteins were obviously lower in the Acupunct+IVT-4.5 h group than in the IVT-4.5 h group(P<0.05). Endo-G proteins were obviously lower in the Acupunct+IVT-9 h group than in the IVT-9 h group(P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture may improve neurological function

reduce cerebral infarction volume and prolong the time window of thrombolysis in CI rats

which may be associated with its effect in suppressing AIF/PARP1/Endo-G signaling.