Objective To observe effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on the expression of apoptosis related protein B-cell lymphoma/leukemia gene 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-associated protein X (Bax) in the hippoeampal CA1 region of rats with cerebral infarction,and on their behavior. MethodsAn animal model of cerebral ischemia was established by right side middle cerebral artery occlusion using thread in 48 male,adult Wistar rats,who were then randomly divided equally into an EA group and a control group.Both groups were sub-divided into 1 week,2 weeks and 3 weeks subgroups.The EA group began receiving EA 24h after the occlusion,applied at the Baihui (DU20) and Dazhui (BU14) points,once daily,for one,two or three weeks.The control group was reared conventionally and was not given any special treatment.The rats'learning and memory,motion and neural function were evaluated.The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the CA1 region of the hippocampus on the infarcted side and changes of apoptosis indexes were detected using immunohistochemical techniques.ResultsThe learning,memory,motion and neural function of the EA group rats were better on average than those of the control group at all observation time points.The expression of Bcl-2 protein increased along with reduced expression of Bax protein in the EA group significantly more than among the controls.TUNEL positive cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus were reduced significantly in the EA group compared with the control group.ConclusionsBehavioral ability after cerebral infarction can be improved by EA at the Baihui (DU20) and Dazhui (BU14) points.EA can up-regulate the expression of Bcl-2 and down-regulate the expression of Bax and reduce TUNEL positive cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus after cerebral infarction,which might be the mechanism of its neuroprotection.