Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)intervention on dynamic changes of neurological function

blood glucose and insulin levels in rats with focal cerebral ischemia(CI)

so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of ischemic cerebral vascular disease.Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups:normal

sham-operation(sham)

model and EA.CI model was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO).The four groups were further randomized into 5subgroups according to time-points of MCAO:6hour

day 1

day 3

day 7and day 14(8rats/ group).EA(2Hz/15Hz

1mA)was applied to bilateral"Neiguan"(PC 6)and"Quchi"(LI 11)for 30min

once daily for 1day to 14days.Neurological impairment was evaluated by Zea Longa 5-point scoring system.Local cerebral blood flow(LCBF)of the cerebral pia mater was determined using Laser Doppler Flowmetry.The levels of abdominal cavity venous blood glucose and serum insulin were measured by using aglucose meter and radioimmunoassay

respectively.Results In comparison with the normal and sham groups

the rats' body weights and LCBF levels at time-points of day 1

3

7and 14

and blood glucose and serum insulin levels at most time-points of 6h

day 1

3

7and 14after CI were significantly decreased in the model group(P<0.05)

and neurological scores at time-points of 6h

day 1

3

7and 14were markedly increased in the model group(P<0.05).After EA intervention

compared with the model group

the rats' body weights at time-points of day 3

7and 14

LCBF levels on day 7 and 14

blood glucose on day 14

and serum insulin contents at time-points of day 1

3

7and 14were considerably increased in the EA group(P<0.05)

while Zea Longa scores at time-points of day 3and 7were evidently decreased in the EA group(P<0.05).Conclusion EA intervention is effective in improving neurological function in CI rats

which is probably associated with its functions in improving cerebral blood flow

and up-regulating blood glucose and insulin levels.