0.05).After treatment,the nipple height was increased in the model group(P

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) therapy of activating Du meridian,regulating mind and reinforcing the fundamental on learning and memory ability and plasma endothelin(ET) level in rats with vascular dementia(VD).Methods Healthy adult SD rats were randomized into pseudo-operation group(N=8),EA group(N=9,EA on the acupoints of Baihui,Dazhui,Pishu and Shenshu),nimodipine group(N=8,at the dose of 12mg/kg) and the model group(N=8).Rat models of VD were established by the modified 4-vascular occlusion(4-VO)method.Morris water maze test was used for the behavioral observation,and plasma ET level was measured by radioimmunoassay(RIA).Results Plasma ET level was increased obviously,the disorder of learning and memory ability was obvious and the escape latency in water maze was prolonged in the model group(P0.05).In EA group and nimodipine group,the escape latency was shortened(P0.05 compared with the pseudo-operation group).Conclusion The therapeutic mechanism of EA therapy of activating Du meridian,regulating mind and reinforcing the fundamental for VD is probably related with the regulation of plasma ET level and with the increase of learning and memory ability.

Aim To investigate the relationship between neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and the amnesia and hypnosis induced by enflurane in mice.Methods Animal models were established by Intraperitoneal injecting of enflurane(2.2 ml?kg-1 and 0.4 ml?kg-1).Artificial cerebrospinal fluid or different dose of nicotine were intracerebroventricular injected,then sleeping time in the analeptic test was recorded;and the step down latency and error times in the step down test;step through latency and error times in the step through test.For the independent activity test,recorded the independent activity times of mice treated with enflurane(0.4 ml?kg-1) in 5 min.Results Compared with control group,intracerebroventricular nicotine decreased sleeping time in the analeptic test,increased step down latency and step through latency in both step down test and step through test.Furthermore,the error times were decreased in both tests.All the outcomes were significant and the influence was dose-dependent.There was no significant difference for the independent activity times of mice treated with 0.4 ml?kg-1 enflurane by ip injection.Conclusion All the evidence suggested that neuronal nicotinic receptor is one of important targets for the hypnotic and amnestic effect of enflurane in mice.