Author(s): Feng Zhang | Yi Wu | Jie Jia | Qing-Chuan Guo | Yong-Shan Hu
Journal: Iranian Journal of Medical Hypotheses & Ideas
ISSN 1735-9104
Volume: 4;
Start page: 8;
Date: 2010;
Original page
Keywords: Electroacupuncture | Glutamatergic system | Brain ischemic tolerance | Pretreatment
ABSTRACT
"nElectroacupuncture, the integration of traditional Chinese acupuncture and modern electrotherapy, has been used for clinical treatment of cerebral ischemic disease in both eastern and western countries; however, the mechanism underlying its effects is still unknown. It is well known that excessive glutamate results in neuronal excitotoxicity after ischemic stroke. Previous studies have indicated that electro-acupuncture may downregulate the overactivation of glutamate after ischemia, and a recent study implied that electro-acupuncture prior to ischemia could induce brain ischemic tolerance. Based on the present information, we hypothesize that electro-acupuncture could be an effective pretreatment for cerebral ischemia by regulating the glutamatergic system.
Journal: Iranian Journal of Medical Hypotheses & Ideas
ISSN 1735-9104
Volume: 4;
Start page: 8;
Date: 2010;
Original page
Keywords: Electroacupuncture | Glutamatergic system | Brain ischemic tolerance | Pretreatment
ABSTRACT
"nElectroacupuncture, the integration of traditional Chinese acupuncture and modern electrotherapy, has been used for clinical treatment of cerebral ischemic disease in both eastern and western countries; however, the mechanism underlying its effects is still unknown. It is well known that excessive glutamate results in neuronal excitotoxicity after ischemic stroke. Previous studies have indicated that electro-acupuncture may downregulate the overactivation of glutamate after ischemia, and a recent study implied that electro-acupuncture prior to ischemia could induce brain ischemic tolerance. Based on the present information, we hypothesize that electro-acupuncture could be an effective pretreatment for cerebral ischemia by regulating the glutamatergic system.
