Electroacupuncture-Like Stimulation at the Baihui (GV20) and Dazhui (GV14) Acupoints Protects Rats against Subacute-Phase Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injuries by Reducing S100B-Mediated Neurotoxicity

Abstract

Our study results indicate that EA at acupoints initiated 1 d postreperfusion effectively downregulates astrocytic S100B expression to provide neuroprotection against delayed infarct expansion by modulating p38 MAP kinase-mediated NF-κB expression. These effects subsequently reduce oxidative/nitrative stress and inhibit the TNF-α/TRADD/FADD/cleaved caspase-8/cleaved caspase-3 apoptotic pathway in the ischemic cortical penumbra 7 d after reperfusion.