Effect of acupuncture on hippocampal cAMP and cGMP contents in rats with multi-infarct dementia

Objective: To observe the changes of second messenger cAMP and cGMP contents due to acupuncture at the point ST36 on multi-infarct dementia rats.Method: The multi-infarct dementia model was made by injection of emboli into the internal carotid artery.The dementia rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: model group,acupuncture group and non-acupoint acupuncture group.A normal group and a sham operation group were set up as contrast.After treatment,the hippocampus cAMP and cGMP contents of each group by radioimmunoassay were detected.Result: Compared with normal group,cAMP in the hippocampus of the model group significantly decreased(P0.01).Compared with model group,cAMP content in the hippocampus of the acupuncture group significantly increased(P0.01),close to normal group level.Compared with normal group,cGMP content in the hippocampus of model group has the obvious changes;acupuncture group has not obvious regulatory role.Conclusion: Acupuncture at the point ST36 can mediated vascular smooth muscle relaxation response by adjusting the cAMP content,consequently improving blood supply to the brain.