Objective To evaluate the effect of acupoint catgut embedding on motor function in patients with acute cerebral infarction(ACI)

and to explore its mechanism.Methods Sixty-three ACI patients were randomly assigned to acupuncture group(n=30) and catgut embedding group(n=33).Patients of the acupuncture group received acupuncture stimulation of Baihui(GV 20)

Neiguan(PC 6)

Sanyinjiao(SP 6)

Taichong(LR 3)

etc.and scalp-point Motor Area

Sensory Area

Balance Area

once daily

5 times a week for 20 times.Patients of the catgut embedding group received catgut embedding at the acupoints same to acupuncture group

once every 10 days

3 times altogether.Additionally

both groups received regular treatment of neurology(controlling blood pressure

blood sugar and blood lipids levels

physical therapy

etc.) and early rehabilitation training(limb motor training).The patients' functional mobility was evaluated by simplified Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale(FMA) and Modified Bathel Index Scale(MBI).The level of serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) was detected using latex agglutination reaction method;and serum interleukin-6(IL-6)content measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results After 30 days' treatment

the mean scores of FMA and MBI were significantly increased in both acupuncture group and catgut embedding group(P<0.05)

suggesting an improvement of the cerebral infarction patient's functional mobility after the treatment.The the-rapeutic effect of the catgut embedding was obviously superior to that of the acupuncture group(P<0.05).The mean contents of serum IL-6 and hs-CRP of the two groups were significantly decreased after the treatment(P<0.05)

suggesting a reduction of proinflammatory cytokine and inflammatory mediator levels

respectively.The levels of both serum IL-6 and hs-CRP of the catgut embedding group were markedly lower than those of the acupuncture group(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupoint catgut embedding therapy is effective in improving cerebral infarction patients' functional mobility

which is related to its action in inhibiting inflammatory reaction in the early stage of cerebral ischemic injury.