[Effects of acupoint-injection of compound Angelica-root Injectio on cerebral Bcl-2 and Bax immunoactivity and hemorheology in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of acupoint-injection on the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the cerebral tissue around the ischemic area in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CI/R) rats so as to investigate its mechanism underlying improvement of cerebral infarction.

METHODS

Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomized into sham operation (sham), model and acupoint-injection groups (n = 16/group). CI/R model was duplicated by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 2 h and reperfusion for 24 h. "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) were used for injection of Fufang Danggui Zhusheye (Compound Angelica-root Injectio, 1000 g/mL), immediately 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after modeling. Bcl-2 and Bax immunoactivity in the cerebral tissue around the ischemic area was assayed by immunohistochemistry. Blood viscosity including high, medium and low shearing rates, erythrocyte aggregation index (AI), rigidity index (RI) and deformity index (DI) were assayed by using a full-automatic hemorheolometer.

RESULTS

In comparison with the sham group, the numbers of both Bcl-2 and Bax immunoreaction (IR) positive cells in the ischemic cerebral tissue in the model group were increased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the number of Bcl-2 IR-positive cells was increased further apparently in the acupoint-injection group (P < 0.05), while that of Bax IR-positive cells in the acupoint-injection group lowered considerably (P < 0.05). The ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was decreased significantly in the model group than that in the sham group (P < 0.05), and increased evidently in the acupoint-injection group than in the model group (P < 0.05). Regarding the parameters of hemorheology, compared to the sham group, the high, medium and low shear rates, erythrocyte AI and RI were increased significantly in the model group (P < 0.05), while DI was decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared to the model group, the high, medium and low shear rates, and erythrocyte AI and RI in the acupoint-injection group were down-regulated significantly, and DI of the acupoint-injection group was up-regulated markedly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Acupoint-injection of Compound Angelica-root Injectio can function in up-regulating CI/R induced increase of cerebral Bcl-2 expression and suppressing CI/R induced increase of cerebral Bax expression, blood viscosity, and erythrocyte AI and RI, and inhibiting CI/R induced decrease of erythrocyte DI in CI/R rats, which may contribute to its effects in improving cerebral ischemia by resisting neuronal apoptosis and facilitating cerebral blood circulation.