Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) plus oxygenmedicine (OM) on the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the hippocampal CA 1 area in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CI/RI) rats. Methods Thirty SD rats were randomized into sham-operation

model

EA

OM

EA+OM groups (n=6/group). CI/RI model was established by using modified Pulsinelli 4 vessel occlusion and reperfusion. EA (100 Hz

3.5 mA) was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) 30 min

once daily for 4 days. Rats of OM and EA+OM groups were put into a box filled with oxygen and atomized herbal medicines containing Bingpian (Borneolum)

Shexiang (Moschus)

Huangjing (Rhizoma Polygonati)

Shouwu (Radix Polygoni Multiflori)

etc. for 30 min

once daily for 4 days. Bcl-2 and Bax expression of the hippocampal CA 1 area was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with sham group

the numbers of Bcl-2 immunoreaction (IR) and Bax IR positive cells

and the immunoactivity of Bcl-2 IR and Bax IR positive products in the hippocampal CA 1 area were increased significantly in model group (P<0.05

P<0.01). In comparison with model group

the number of Bcl-2 IR positive cells and Bcl-2 immunoactivity in EA

OM and EA+OM groups increased considerably (P<0.01)

while Bax IR positive cell numbers and Bax immunoactivity in EA

OM and OM+EA groups decreased significantly (P<0.01). The effects of EA+OM were significantly superior to those of EA and OM groups in upregulating Bcl-2 IR positive cell number and Bcl-2 immunoactivity and downregulating Bax IR positive cell number and Bax immunoactivity (P<0.01). No significant differences were found between EA and OM groups in the abovementioned indexes (P>0.05). Conclusion EA and OM and EA+OM can effectively regulate the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the hippocampal CA 1 area in CI/RI rats

and the effects of EA+OM are significantly superior to those of simple EA and simple OM

which may contribute to their effect in improving cerebral ischemia.