Objeetive To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on microglia, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-or (TNF-α) in the frontal lobes of rats modeling Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods Forty-eight normal SD rats 24 months old were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham operated group, a model group and an EA group, with 12 rats in each group. The AD model was established by stereotaxic microinjection of agglutinated amyloid-beta protein (A1β-40, 1 μl, 10 μg/μl) into the rats' bilateral Meynert nucleus. The effects of EA applied to the rats' "Baihui" ( DU 20) "Taixi" ( KI 3 )" and "Zusanli" ( ST 36) acupoints were observed. The EA treatment was applied once a day for 6 days as a course. The next course of treatment was continued after one day's rest and the total treatment involved 2 courses. The activated mieroglia and the expression of IL-1β, and TNF-α in the frontal lobe were determined by immunohistochemistry method. Results The number of cells exhibiting microglia, IL-1β, or TNF-α in the frontal lobes of rats in the model group increased significantly, but after EA treat-ment, cells showing microglia, IL-1β, or TNF-α decreased remarkably. There were significant differences in compar-ison with the model group (P≤0. 01). Conclusion Electroacupuncture treatment can depress inflammatory reac-tion in the frontal lobe of AD rats and adjust the rats' immunologic state.

Objective To compare the influence of three kinds of Walnut kernel extracts on learning and memory ability as well as ultrastructural pathology in hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats. Methods AD rat model was established by injection of amyloid-beta protein (Aβ1-40 ) into the nucleus basalis of meynert. The AD rats were randomly divided into Walnut kernel-water group,Walnut kernel-ethanol group,Walnut kernel-acetone group,and the model control group,10 rats in each group. In addition,10 rats of normal control group and 10 rats of sham operation group were selected. The model control group was not treated; the treatment groups were intragastrically given Walnut kernel water extract,ethanol extract,and acetone extract ( the equivalent of pharmacognosy 0. 3 g·mL-1 ),respectively,dose 3 g·kg-1 . The learning and memory ability was studied by Morris water maze,and ultrastructure of neurons was observed under the transmission electron microscopy. Results The time of looking for platform in Walnut kernel-water group,Walnut kernel-ethanol group,and Walnut kernel-acetone group were dropped swiftly at the beginning of 3 days, the third day is (51. 80±4. 37),(61. 20±4. 67),and (59. 63±5. 24),respectively; the model control group is (67. 67±6. 12) s. Compared with the model group,the differences were significance (P<0. 05); However,the acetone extract of Walnut kernel can obviously enhance the learning and memory ability (P<0. 01),and the ultrastructure almost returned to normal. Conclusion The acetone extracts of Walnut kernel have the function of preventing Alzheimer's disease.