Effects of electroacupuncture at Fengchi (GB20) on motor function and GFAP/NeuN expression around the ischemic tissue of the motor cortex in MCAO rats

To investigate the potential mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) at bilateral Fengchi (GB20) in treating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and to provide a scientific basis for future experimental research and clinical applications. Forty male specific-pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: a normal group, a normal with EA group, a model group, and a model with EA group, with 10 rats in each group. The normal group received no intervention. The normal with EA group received EA at bilateral Fengchi (GB20). The model group underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) using the suture. The model with EA group underwent MCAO and received EA at bilateral Fengchi (GB20). Cerebral blood flow was monitored using a laser Doppler cerebral blood flow meter. Neurologic damage was assessed using the neurologic deficit score, and motor ability was observed using the CatWalk gait system. The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neuronal nuclei (NeuN) protein, the neuron markers, was detected by Western blotting. The protein expression levels of GFAP and NeuN, as well as the number of positive cells in the motor cortex, were detected using immunofluorescence. Compared to the normal group, the cerebral blood flow values in the model group and the model with EA group decreased by more than 50% during the modeling process (P<0.01) and returned to pre-modeling levels after reperfusion (P<0.05). The neurologic deficit score increased (P<0.05), the average motor velocity decreased (P<0.05), GFAP protein expression and the number of positive cells in the motor cortex increased (P<0.05), and the NeuN protein expression and the number of positive cells decreased (P<0.05) in the model group. Compared to the model group, the neurologic deficit score decreased (P<0.05), the average motor velocity accelerated (P<0.05), GFAP and NeuN protein expression and the number of positive cells in the motor cortex increased (P<0.01) in the model with EA group. EA at bilateral Fengchi (GB20) can reduce neuronal loss and increase GFAP and NeuN protein expression in the motor cortex of rats after ischemia-reperfusion, improve the motor function after ischemic stroke, and accelerate the recovery of balance and stability of the affected limbs.