Electroacupuncture effects on cortical neurons, as well as Janus kinase 2-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signal transduction pathway, in a rat model of cerebral ischemia☆

The present study established a model of focal cerebral ischemia through heat-coagulation induced occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Following electroacupuncture at Baihui (GV20) and Dazhui (GV14), or intracerebroventricular infusion of AG490, a Janus kinase 2 phosphorylation inhibitor, the amount of necrotic or degenerated neurons in the ischemic cerebral cortex decreased, neuronal swelling was ameliorated, and expression of phosphorylated Janus kinase 2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 decreased. Results confirmed that electroacupuncture promoted neuronal repair in the cerebral cortex by reducing expression of phosphorylated Janus kinase 2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, as well as weakening the phosphorylated activation, thereby blocking abnormal activation of the Janus kinase 2- signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signal transduction pathway.