Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture on the cerebral infarct volume and expressions of Beclin1

microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3) and p62 proteins related to cell autophagy in rats with cerebral ischemia(CI)

so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of CI injury. Methods Male SD rats were randomized into 3 groups: sham operation

model and acupuncture which were further divided into 4 subgroups according to different ischemia time-points: 3

6

12 and 24 h(n=7 in each subgroup). The CI model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery(MCAO) with surgical suture-embolus. For rats of the acupuncture group

acupuncture was applied to “Shuigou”(GV26) and bilateral “Neiguan”(PC6)

and twirled for 1—3 min every time

10 times altogether

and kept for 30 min. The neurological deficit score accoding to Longa's method was used for assessing the neurological function. The CI volume was measured after 2

3

5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The expression levels of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1

LC3 and p62 in the brain tissue were detected using Western blot. Results Compared with those of the sham operation group

the neurological deficit scores at 2

3

6

12 and 24 h after CI

and the infarct volumes

the expression levels of Beclin1 and the ratios of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ at 3

6

12 and 24 h were considerably increased(P<0.01

P<0.05)

and the expression levels of p62 at 3

6

12 and 24 h were significantly decreased(P<0.01) in the model group. Relevant to the model group

acupuncture stimulation of GV26 and PC6 induced an obvious decrease in the neurological deficit scores at 6

12 and 24 h

CI volumes at 3

6

12 and 24 h

and the expression levels of Beclin1 and the ratios of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ both at 6 and 12 h(P<0.01

P<0.05)

and an evident increase in the expression levels of p62 at 6

12 and 24 h after CI(P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion Acupuncture stimulation of GV26 and PC6 can reduce the CI volume and improve neurological function in CI rats

which may be related to its efficacy in down-regulating the expression of Beclin1 and the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ

and up-regulating the expression of p62 in the ischemic brain tissue

thereby improving autophagy flux.