Feng Zhang1, Yi Wu, Jie Jia. 1. Department of Rehabilitation, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, WuLuMuQi Middle Road 12, Shanghai, PR China.
Abstract
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine whether electro-acupuncture (EA) could alleviate cerebral oedema after cerebral ischemia. RESEARCH DESIGN: EA has been widely used for cerebrovascular disease in East Asian countries. However, whether EA might reduce cerebral oedema after stroke remains unclear. In the current study, diffusion-weighted MRI, which is a reliable method for detecting cerebral oedema, was used to determine whether EA could ameliorate cerebral oedema. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Twelve rats with induced strokes were divided into two groups: one group with EA treatment (EA group) and one group without EA treatment (non-EA group). Both groups of rats underwent MRI scanning at the same time point following ischemia. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Diffusion-weighted imaging showed that the relative apparent diffusion coefficient increased significantly in the cortical and sub-cortical areas of the EA group relative to the non-EA group, indicating that EA can alleviate cerebral oedema after ischemic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Electro-acupuncture can alleviate cerebral oedema in rats following ischemia.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine whether electro-acupuncture (EA) could alleviate cerebral oedema after cerebral ischemia. RESEARCH DESIGN: EA has been widely used for cerebrovascular disease in East Asian countries. However, whether EA might reduce cerebral oedema after stroke remains unclear. In the current study, diffusion-weighted MRI, which is a reliable method for detecting cerebral oedema, was used to determine whether EA could ameliorate cerebral oedema. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Twelve rats with induced strokes were divided into two groups: one group with EA treatment (EA group) and one group without EA treatment (non-EA group). Both groups of rats underwent MRI scanning at the same time point following ischemia. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Diffusion-weighted imaging showed that the relative apparent diffusion coefficient increased significantly in the cortical and sub-cortical areas of the EA group relative to the non-EA group, indicating that EA can alleviate cerebral oedema after ischemic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Electro-acupuncture can alleviate cerebral oedema in rats following ischemia.
Authors: Juan G Quispe-Cabanillas; Alfredo Damasceno; Felipe von Glehn; Carlos O Brandão; Benito P Damasceno; Wanderley D Silveira; Leonilda M B Santos Journal: BMC Complement Altern Med Date: 2012-11-05 Impact factor: 3.659