Neurosci Lett. 2001 Jan; 297(1): 21-4.

Acupuncture increases cell proliferation in dentate gyrus after transient global ischemia in gerbils.

Kim EH, Kim YJ, Lee HJ, Huh Y, Chung JH, Seo JC, Kang JE, Lee HJ, Yim SV, Kim CJ.

Department of Meridianology, College of Oriental Medicine, Semyung University, San 21-1, Shinwol-dong, Jechon, 390-711, Chungbuk, South Korea.

The effects of acupuncture on cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of gerbils after transient global ischemia were investigated in this study. Acupuncture was performed on Zusanli (ST36), which is a well known acupoint in animals and humans. In Oriental medicine, Zusanli has been commonly used for the enhancement of functional recovery in stroke patients. Through 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry, an increase in cell birth in the dentate gyrus of gerbils after ischemic injury was detected. Interestingly, acupunctural treatment in ischemic gerbils resulted in a significant increase in the number of BrdU-positive cells in the dentate gyrus. The present findings indicate that acupuncture may affect cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of gerbils after ischemic injury.