[Influence of acupuncture of "Changqiang" (GV 1) on learning-memory ability and gap junction-related protein expression in the prefrontal cortex in autism rats].

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture stimulation of"Changqiang"(GV 1)on learning-memory ability and gap junction-related protein expression in the prefrontal cortex in autism rats.Methods Forty Wistar rats were equally randomized into control,model,GV 1and non-acupoint groups.For establishing autism model,Valproate acid(VPA)sodium(600mg/kg)was given(i.p.)to pregnancy rats whose intimate filial generation was confirmed to be successful autism by eyeopen tests,swimming test and Morris water maze swimming tasks.GV 1or non-acupoint(the spot below the costal region,i.e.,2cm superior to the posterior superior iliac spine and about 3cm lateral to the spine)was punctured and stimulated for about 1min by using a filiform needle,once daily for 30days except the weekends.The rats' learning-memory ability was detected by Morris water maze tasks.The expression of gap junction-related proteins connexin 43(CX 43),CX 32and CX 36in the frontal cortex tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results After modeling,the postnatal rats' eye-open time on day 14,15and 16was significantly later(P0.05);and the swimming ability on postnatal day 13and 15was obviously lower in comparison with that of the control group(P0.05).After acupuncture treatment,the increased escape latency and the decreased swimming velocity of the autism rats were obviously suppressed in the GV 1group,rather than in the non-acupoint group(P0.05).It suggests an improvement of learning-memory ability after acupuncture stimulation of GV 1.In comparison with the control group,the expression levels of cerebral CX 43,CX 32and CX 36proteins(mean grey values)were considerably down-regulated in the model group(P0.05).While compared to the model group,their expression levels were apparently up-regulated in the GV 1group(P0.05)but not in the non-acupoint group.Conclusion Acupuncture intervention of GV 1can improve the learningmemory ability in autism rats,which may be closely related to its effects in up-regulating expression levels of CX 43,CX 32and CX 36in the frontal cortex.