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OBJECTIVE: To explore the protection effects of acupuncture on glaucomatous optic nerve damage and its mechanism. METHODS: Experimental glaucoma model was induced by intracameral injection of compound Carbomer solution in rabbits. After 28 days, ocular tension returned to normal by filtration surgery. Twenty rabbits (40 eyes) were randomly divided into a model group, an acupuncture group, a neurotrophy group and a nomal control group, 5 cases in each group. The acupuncture group was treated with acupuncture at bilateral "Qiuhou" (EX-HN 7),"Fengchi" (GB 20) and "Xingjian" (LR 2), twice a day. The neurotrophy group was treated with intramuscular injection of Vitamin B1 (100 mg) and Vitamin B12 (500 microg), once a day, and the other groups with no treatment. The expressions of Bcl-xl and BDNF in rabbits retina were observed after 4 weeks. RESULTS: At the end of the experiment, the positive expression cells of Bcl-xl and BDNF were (31.20 +/- 5.97) per mm2 and (6.3 +/- 1.89) per mm2 in the acupuncture group, being significantly higer than (26.70 +/- 4.32) per mm2 and (4.0 +/- 1.89) per mm2 in the model group (both P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can raise the expression of Bcl-xl and BDNF of retina, so as to prevent optic nerve damage caused by intraocular hypertension. LA: Chinese
H. Sun. The First Hospital Affiliated to Heilongjiang University of TCM, Harbin 150040, China. sunheworld@hotmail.com
15 Miscellaneous
5.3 Other (Part of: 5 Experimental glaucoma; animal models)
3.5 Molecular biology incl. SiRNA (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)
11.8 Neuroprotection (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)