Objective To observe the effect of scalp acupuncture on the expression of argarginine vasopressin receptor-1 a(V_(1 a)R)

phosphorylated calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ(p-CaMKⅡ)

and aquaporin 4(AQP_4) at hypothalamus in middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) rats

so as to explore the molecular mechanisms of scalp acupuncture reducing encepha-ledema in acute ischemic stroke. Methods A total of 96 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal

model

inhibitor and scalp acupuncture groups

with 24 rats in each group. The MCAO model was established by thread occlusion method. The inhibitor group was intraperitoneally injected with V_(1 a)R inhibitor(30 μg/kg)

once a day for 7 consecutive days. In the scalp acupuncture group

acupuncture was applied to bilateral “parietal and temporal anterior oblique line”

with rapid insertion of 2 needles at 15° to 20°

twisting at 100 r/min for 1 min

and retaining the needles for 30 min

once a day for 7 consecutive days. The neurologic deficit score(NDS) and neurological score(NS) were evaluated before and after intervention. The positive expression of p-CaMKⅡ and AQP_4 proteins in hypothalamus was detected by immunohistochemistry. The water content of left brain tissue was determined by BIIiot method. The expression of V_(1 a)R mRNA in hypothalamus was detected by real-time PCR. Results Compared with the normal group

the NDS

NS

hypothalamic V_(1 a)R mRNA expression

water content of the brain tissue

and hypothalamic p-CaMKⅡ and AQP_4 positive expression levels were significantly increased(P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group

the NDS

NS

hypothalamic V_(1 a)R mRNA expression

water content of the brain tissue

and hypothalamic p-CaMKⅡ and AQP_4 positive expression levels were significantly decreased(P<0.01) in the inhibitor and scalp acupuncture groups. Conclusion Regulating the signaling pathway of V_(1 a)R/CaMKⅡ/AQP_4 in hypothalamus may be one of the molecular mechanisms of scalp acupuncture reducing encephaledema in acute ischemic stroke.