Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture combined with running wheel training on nerve cell autophagy, apoptosis and neurogenesis in the middle cerebral artery embolism (MCAO) rat model. Methods A total of 30 SD rats were randomly divided into MCAO model group (n = 10), combined intervention group ( n = 10) and sham operation group ( n = 10). The neurological score was recorded and the infarct volume was measured. The expression levels of the autophagy effector Beclin1, the membranous microtubule-associated protein 1A/ 1B-light chain 3 (LC3) (LC3B-Ⅱ) / cytoplasmic LC3 (LC3B-Ⅰ), the apoptosis related proteins [B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), the BCL2-associated X protein (BAX), and caspase-3], p-AMPK, and p-mTOR were detected. The apoptosis of nerve cells was detected. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase ( CAT) activities, and the malondialdehyde ( MDA) content were assayed. Results In the MCAO model group, the number of Tunel positive cells, the nervous system score, the cerebral infarction volume, the expression levels of BAX, caspase-3, Beclin-1, LC3B- Ⅱ/ LC3B-Ⅰ, p-AMPK, and the MDA content were increased, while the SOD activity, the CAT activity, and the expression levels of p-mTOR and Bcl-2 were decreased (P < 0. 05). In the combined intervention group, the number of Tunel positive cells, the nervous system score, the cerebral infarction volume, the expression levels of BAX, caspase-3, Beclin-1, LC3B-Ⅱ/ LC3B-Ⅰ, p-AMPK, and the MDA content were decreased, while the SOD activity, the CAT activity, and the expression levels of Bcl-2 and p-mTOR expression were increase (P< 0. 05). Conclusion The intervention treatment of electroacupuncture combined with running wheel training inhibits the oxidative stress, suppresses the expression of Beclin-1, LC3B-Ⅱ/ LC3B-I, BAX, caspase-3, and enhances the expression of Bcl-2 in nerve cells.

Key words: electroacupuncture, running wheel training, MCAO, autophagy, nerve cell apoptosis