Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) and glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) in the subventricular zone(SVZ) of Parkinson's disease(PD) rats

so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of PD.Methods Eighteen SD rats were randomized into normal control

model and EA groups(6 rats/group).PD model was duplicated by microinjection of 6-hydroxydopamine(2.5 μg/μL

6 μL) containing 0.02% antiscorbic acid into the right medial forebrain bundle region(P:-4.0

L: 0.8

H: 8.0).On the 7th day after mo-deling

EA(100 Hz) was applied to bilateral "Hegu"(LI 4) and "Taichong"(LR 3) for 30 min

once a day for 21 days.The expression levels of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)

GFAP and PCNA in the right SVZ tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results TH expression was strong in the normal control group

but no TH expression was found in the model and EA groups.In comparison with the normal control group

the expression levels of PCNA and GFAP proteins and the number of PCNA-IR-positive cells in the right SVZ were decreased significantly in the model group(P<0.01);while compared with the model group

the expression levels of PCNA and GFAP proteins and the number of PCNA-IR-positive cells in the right SVZ were up-regulated consi-derably in the EA group(P<0.01

P<0.05).Conclusion EA can up-regulate the expression of PCNA and GFAP proteins in the SVZ in PD rats without changes of TH expression

which may contribute to its effect in improving clinical symptoms of PD.