Electroacupuncture effect on neurological behavior and tyrosine kinase-JAK 2 in rats with focal cerebral ischemia

ObjectiveElectroacupuncture effect on neurological behavior and the expression of tyrosine kinase Janus kinase 2 (JAK 2) of ischemic cortex in rats with the focal cerebral ischemia were investigated in this study.MethodsThe model of focal cerebral ischemia was established by the heat-coagulation induced the occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. The electro-acupuncture was applied on Baihui (GV 20) and Dazhui (GV 14), and AG490 was applied by intracerebroventricular infusion. The expressions of JAK2 mRNA and phospharylated JAK2 (p-JAK2) in the ischemic cortex were observed by in situ hybridization and western blotting.ResultsThe expressions of JAK2 mRNA and p-JAK2 were rarely found in sham surgery group. In model group, the expression of JAK2 mRNA and JAK2 phosphorylation had increased. After 1 day of cerebral ischemia, the expression had reached its peak. After cerebral ischemia, the expressions of JAK2 mRNA and p-JAK2 were consistent with the neurological deficit score. Electroacupuncture treatment and AG490 intervention were able to improve the neurological deficit score after cerebral ischemia, and down-regulate the expressions of JAK2 mRNA and JAK2 phosphorylation.ConclusionAfter cerebral ischemia, the excessive expressions of JAK2 and the JAK2 phosphorylation would be one of mechanisms by which the brain injury got worse. The therapy of electro-acupuncture could reduce the expression of JAK2, and inhibit JAK2 phosphorylated activation, so as to block the abnormal activation of signal transduction pathway which was induced by JAK2.