Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on Calbindin D28K(CB) expression and apoptosis in hippocampus in hyperlipemia rats with concomitant cerebral ischemia(CI).Methods Forty male SD rats were rando-mized into control

hyperlipemia+CI(model)

acupuncture Ⅰ

and acupuncture Ⅱ groups

with 10 cases in each.Hyperlipemia model was established by feeding the animals with high fat forage for 6 weeks and CI model established by occlusion of the unila-teral middle cerebral artery.For rats of acupuncture Ⅰ group

EA(1-3 mA

15 Hz) was applied to bilateral "Sanyinjiao"(SP 6) and "Fenglong"(ST 40) for 20 min every time

once daily for 10 days before CI.For rats of both acupuncture Ⅰ and Ⅱ groups

after CI

EA was applied to SP 6

ST 40

"Baihui"(GV 20) and "Shuigou"(GV 26) were punctured with filiform needles and stimulated by twirled the needle with hand continuously for 1 min

once daily for 7 days.The apoptotic cells of hippocampal CA 3 area were displayed by TUNEL(terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling) method.CB antibody staining with immunohistochemistry was used to show CB-positive cells which were observed by optic microscope.Results In comparison with control group

the percentage of apoptotic cells of the hippocampal CA 3 area in model group increased considerably(P<0.01)

while the number of CB immunoreaction(IR)-positive cells in the same area decreased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with model group

the percentages of apoptotic cells of CA 3 area in acupuncture Ⅰ and acupuncture Ⅱ groups lowe-red remarkably(P<0.01)

while the numbers of CB IR-positive cells in the later two groups increased significantly(P<0.01).The therapeutic effect of acupuncture Ⅰ group was apparently superior to that of acupuncture Ⅱ group in lowering the percentage of apoptotic cells and upregulating CB IR-positive cell number(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture can effectively lessen neuronal apoptosis of the hippocampus CA 3 area which may be closely related to its effect in upregulating the expression of CB in hyperlipemia+CI rats.Moreover

the cerebral ischemia injury degree may be lightened by acupuncture-lowering hyperlipemia first.