Abstract:
Objective
To study the effect of rapid acupuncture in Back-Shu and Front-mu acupoints at different time points and the courses on the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in rats with brain injury, and to explore its protective effect on neurons and the therapeutic mechanism, in order to provide evidence for clinical treatment.
Methods
A total of 15 male and 30 female mature SD rats of SPF grade were chosen, and were placed in one cage after adaptive feeding, which resulted in 20 pregnant rats. These pregnant rats were randomly divided into two groups: the lipopolysaccharide group(14 rats) and normal saline group(6 rats).The brain injury model of newborn rat was established by abdominal injection of lipopolysaccharide in the pregnant rats, and these model rats were randomly divided into four groups: early and short-term acupuncture group(group A),late short-term acupuncture group(B),long-term acupuncture group(C) and model control group(D);the blank control group consisted of normal newborn rats; there were 10 rats in each group.Rapid acupuncture in the Back-shu and Front-mu acupoints was performed in the acupuncture groups, once a day; in group A it was started on the first day of birth and continued for 7 days in a row; in group B it was started on the 15th day of birth and continued for consecutively 7 days; in group C it was started on the first day of birth and continued for consecutively 21 days; the acupuncture was not performed in model control group and blank control group. On the 21st day of acupuncture, the brain tissues were taken for detection of IL-6 and TNF-α.
Results
The expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in brain tissues of the acupuncture groups was down-regulated, and there was statistical difference when compared with model control group (P<0.05).The down-regulation of IL-6 and TNF-α was better in group C than in group A and B(P<0.05),and it was better in group A than in group B(P<0.05).
Conclusion
Rapid acupuncture in Backshu and Frontmu acupoints can protect the brain tissues of premature newborn rats with brain injury due to intra-uterine infection/inflammation, so it is recommended to be sued in the early stage and for a long term.

Key words: Brain injury, Back-shu and Front-mu acupoints, Effectiveness in a given period of time, IL-6, TNF-α, Rat