[ Abstract] Ischemic brain injury is closely associated w ith oxidative stress, neuron loss, and inflammatory reaction. The thioredoxin system is an important antioxidant system in human body. It plays the important roles in the process of fighting against oxidative stress damage, inhibiting apoptosis and inflammation. In recent years, the roles of thioredoxin system in cerebral ischemia have attracted more and more attention. This article review s the roles of thioredoxin in cerebral ischemia.

Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture on synaptic transmission signal molecules in rats with vascular dementia (VD), such as PKC, CaMKⅡ and NR2B, and discuss the molecular mechanism of acupuncture treatment for VD.Methods The multi-infarct dementia model was established by injection of emboli into the internal carotid artery. Experimental rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, acupuncture group and non-acupoint group. For acupuncture group, acupuncture needles were penetrated into bilateral Zusanli. Non-acupoint group was given acupuncture treatment at the bilateral hypochondrium (10 mm above iliac crest). The rats in normal group and model group were performed to the same amount of capture stimulation as the acupuncture and non-acupoint groups. After treatment, the hippocampal PKC activity was detected by ELISA. Western blot was used to detect CaMKⅡ expression, and the protein expression of NR2B in CA1, CA3 and DG zones was assayed by immunohistochemical staining.Results Compared with normal group, PKC activity and NR2B expression in the hippocampus significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01). After the acupuncture treatment, PKC activity increased significantly (P<0.05), and the protein expression of NR2B showed a trend to increase. There was no obvious difference in CaMKⅡ expression among all groups.Conclusion Acupuncture at Zusanli can enhance the activity of hippocampal PKC, a synaptic transmission signal molecule, which maybe one of the important molecular targets for the treatment of VD.

Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture on oxidative stress and neuronal damage in the prefrontal cortex of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) rats; To investigate the molecular mechanisms of acupuncture in cognitive impairment of vascular dementia (VD) rats. Methods The animal model of VD was replicated by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO) to induce CCH in rats. After modeling, rats were randomized into model group, acupuncture group and non-acupoint group. Sham-operation group was set as control group. Rats of acupuncture group and non-acupoint group were treated with needling for 2 weeks at 3 days after 2VO. Nissl and DHE staining were respectively used to evaluate the numbers of neurons and ROS level. SOD activity was examined by xanthine oxidase technique. Results Compared with sham-operation group, the number of neurons and SOD activity decreased in the model group, while the ROS level increased. Compared with the model group, the number of neurons and SOD activity increased in the acupuncture group, while the ROS level decreased. There were no obvious changes in all indexes in non-acupoint group. Conclusion Acupuncture can inhibit oxidative stress and improve neuronal damage and loss in the prefrontal cortex of VD rats.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs),progenitor cells with the ability of self replication and differentiation,are able to change into many kinds of cells or tissues.The study of acupuncture combined with MSCs transplantation has made some progress and shown potential application prospect.This article summarized experimental research literatures of acupuncture combined with MSCs transplantation over the past ten years.Biological mechanisms of acupuncture combined with MSCs transplantation might be related to the increase of MSCs survival rate and the directional differentiation of MSCs induced by acupuncture.The combination of acupuncture and MSCs transplantation might be used as a potential routine technique in clinical practice.The underlying mechanisms still need to be further elucidated.