Background: This study aimed to study the expression level of cofilin after electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment, using ischemic brain injury model in mice. In addition, infarct volume and neurological functions were measured to understand whether electroacupuncture stimulation could restore the functions of the brain.Methods: Total of 36 mice was randomly divided into three groups: sham group, middle cerebral artery occlusion model (MACO), and middle cerebral artery occlusion model pretreated with EA (MACO + EA). Mice were stimulated at "Baihui (G20)" and "Dazhui (G14)" 24 hours before focal cerebral ischemia. Infarct volume and neuronal function of brain tissue were scored among different experimental groups. The expression level of cofilin and phosphocofilin of brain tissue were evaluated by using Western blot analysis. TUNEL assay was performed to determine the degree of cell apoptosis.Results: Compared with the sham group, the level of cofilin was dramatically reduced in the MACO group. EA pretreatment could reduce the protein level of cofilin, while EA therapy could also upregulate the protein level of phosphocofilin. Improved neuronal function, smaller infarct volume, and reduced neuronal apoptosis were observed among the mice underwent EA before middle artery occlusion. Conclusion:Our results from Western blot analysis and TUNEL assay might suggest that the upregulation of cofilin was concerned with the EA protects rats from ischemic brain injury. Cofilin might be a potential target for developing drugs against brain ischemia.

Background:</B> This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture stimulation at acupoints of the heart meridian on vascular dementia (VD). <B>Methods:</B> A total of 120 VD patients were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: observation group, the patients were treated with electroacupuncture stimulation; control group, the patients were treated with oral medicine. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE), Activity of Daily Living (ADL) and functional activities questionnaire (FAQ). <B>Results:</B> The total effective rate was 75% in the observation group and 73.33% in the control group, and the difference between these two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). After treatment, the MMSE, ADL and FAQ scores in these two groups significantly improved, when compared to scores before treatment (P<0.01). After treatment, the differences in MMSE, ADL and FAQ scores between these two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). <B>Conclusion:</B> Electroacupuncture stimulation at acupoints of the heart meridian has a definite effect in improving the cognitive function of VD patients.