Objective To observe the effect of Electroacupuncture(EA) of "Quze"(PC 3) and "Neiguan"(PC 6) on cerebral angiogenesis in cerebral ischemia(CI) rats

so as to research its mechanisms underlying improvement of stroke.Methods Fifty SD rats were randomized into normal control

sham

model

EA-PC 3-PC 6

and EA-Hegu(LI 4)-Quchi(LI 11) groups.CI model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery.EA(2-4 V

20 Hz) was applied to PC 3

PC 6

LI 4 and LI 11 respectively 6 h

24 h

48 h and 72 h after modeling

30 min for each time.Serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) content was assayed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)

and cerebral VEGF immunoactivity was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared to the normal control group

serum VEGF content

cerebral VEGF expression level

and the number of VEGF-positive microvessels in the ischemic cerebral region in the model

EA-PC 3-PC 6 and EA-LI 4-LI 11 groups were increased significantly(P<0.01).In comparison with the model group

serum VEGF content

cerebral VEGF expression level

and the number of VEGF-positive microvessels in the EA-LI 4-LI 11 and EA-PC 3-PC 6 groups were up-regulated further(P<0.01)

and the effects of the EA-PC 3-PC 6 group were obviously superior to those of the EA-LI 4-LI 11 group in up-regulating VEGF expression and the number of VEGF-positive microvessels(P<0.01).No significant difference was found between the EA-LI 4-LI 11 and EA-PC 3-PC 6 groups in serum VEGF levels(P>0.05).Conclusion EA of acupoints of both Large Intestine Meridian and Pericardium Meridian can up-regulate serum VEGF

cerebral VEGF expression and the number of VEGF-positive microvessels in CI rats

suggesting an increase of cerebral angiogenesis after the treatment.The effect of EA-PC 3-PC 6 is markedly superior to that of EA-LI 4-LI 11.