Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture intervention on learning-memory ability and cerebral superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and malonaldehyde(MDA)content in chronic fatigure syndrome(CFS)rats so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improvement of clinical CFS.Methods Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into control group

model group and acupuncture group(n=12in each group).CFS model was established by double stress stimulation of suspending(1.0-2.5hincreasing gradually)and forced swimming[Morris water maze tasks

7min in(10±1)°C water]

once daily for 12 days.Manual acupuncture stimulation was applied to"Baihui"(CV 20)

bilateral"Zusanli"(ST 36)and"Sanyinjiao"(SP 6)

once daily for 21days(with 3days' interval between every two weeks).Learning-memory ability was determined by Morris water maze tests

and SOD activity and MDA concentration in the brain tissues were detected by xanthine oxidase method and thiobarbiturif acid method

respectively.Results Compared with the control group

the escape latencies at time-points of day 1

2

3

4and 5of Morris water maze tests were significantly longer

the target platform crossing times were markedly fewer and the target platform quadrant staying time obviously shorter

cerebral SOD activity was considerably decreased

and cerebral MDA content remarkably increased in the model group(P<0.05

P<0.01).Following acupuncture intervention

the escape latencies at time-points of day 1

2

3

4and 5were significantly decreased

both target platform crossing times and staying time

and cerebral SOD activity were apparently increased

as well as cerebral MDA level was markedly lowered in comparison with the model group(P<0.05

P<0.01).Conclusion Acupuncture intervention can improve the learning-memory ability in CFS rats

which may be related to its effect in regulating metabolism of free radicals in the brain tissues.