Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture on the expression of cortical brain-derived neurothrophic factor(BDNF) and tyrosine kinase receptor B(TrkB) mRNAs

and phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinases(p-ERK) 1/2 and phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein(p-CREB) proteins in cerebral ischemia(CI) rats

so as to explore its neuroprotective mechanism on ischemic brain tissue. Methods Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation(control)

model and acupuncture groups

with 10 rats in each group. The CI model was established by occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery(MCAO) using thread embolization method. Manual acupuncture was applied to“Baihui”(GV20)

“Quchi”(LI11)

“Neiguan”(PC6)

“Hegu”(LI4)

“Zusanli”(ST36)

“Sanyinjiao”(SP6) and“Shenmai”(BL62) once daily

6 days a week for 2 weeks. The modified neurological severity score(mNSS) including motor

sensation

balance

and neural reflex functions(0 point

normal; 18 points

maximal deficit) was used to assess the neurological impairment state. The expression levels of p-ERK 1/2 and p-CREB proteins

and BDNF and TrkB mRNAs in the ischemic cerebral cortex were measured by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR

respectively. Results The mNSS was significantly increased on day 1

7 and 14 in the model group compared with the control group(P<0.01)

and evidently decreased on day 14 in the acupuncture group in contrast to the model group(P<0.05). The expression levels of BDNF and TrkB mRNAs

and p-ERK1

p-ERK2 and p-CREB proteins on day 7 and 14 were significantly lower in the model group than in the control group(P<0.001). Following acupuncture treatment

the down-regulated expression levels of the two genes and the three proteins on day 14 were reversed(P<0.001

P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion Acupuncture may promote neurological recovery in rats with cerebral ischemia

which may be related to its function in up-regulating the activities of BDNF/TrkB-ERK-CREB signaling in the cerebral cortex on the ischemic side.