Recently, the team lead by Professor Sun Hua from the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at PUMCH won the second prize of Science and Technology Award of China Association of Chinese Medicine with the research on the mechanism of regulation of ischemic stroke through acupuncture at Baihui (GV20) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints. This research provides the scientific basis in neuroethology and molecular biology for treatment of ischemic stroke through acupuncture, as well as an important experimental and theoretical basis for the promotion of acupuncture for ischemic stroke treatment. The research findings are in the lead domestically.

Clinical practice and previous studies have confirmed that acupuncture at Baihui (GV20) and Zusanli(ST36) acupoints has a definite therapeutic effect on cerebral infarction as it can promote the notable recovery of nerve, language, and motor and improve the quality of life, but the acupoint mechanism is still unclear. To make a breakthrough in this academic challenge as soon as possible and explore the scientific theory behind the treatment of stroke through acupuncture, the project team has carried out a series of studies since 2010 funded by 4 sources of funds from the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The studies found that acupuncture at Baihui (GV20) and Zusanli (ST36)  acupoints can effectively reduce the volume of cerebral infarction in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI), and improve the neurobehavior; regulate the expression of blood-brain barrier-related factors, reduce the damage on blood-brain barrier and protect its integrity; inhibit TLR-4/NF-κB pathway, reduce the expression of inflammatory factors, promote the earlier repair of brain damage, and give full play to the role of brain protection; activate apoptosis inhibitory genes and pathways in rats with cerebral ischemia, reduce the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways and apoptosis-related proteins and pathways, improve endoplasmic reticulum stress, and alleviate apoptosis.

With unremitting exploration and repeated practice, the project team has created several “firsts” in this research field and obtained a series of innovative findings with high academic value. The team has published more than 30 high-quality academic papers, among which 6 SCI papers have been cited 68 times, and Chinese papers have been cited 51 times, and the impact factor of most other-cited papers is over 5. The project team has reached consensus in regulation of ischemic stroke through acupuncture at Baihui (GV20) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints, and provided theoretical guidance for the clinical treatment in traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture. The application of acupuncture in the rehabilitation of those with stroke is of great significance for alleviating the sequelae, improving patients’ life quality, and reducing the burden on families and society.

Group photo of project team members. Those standing in front from left to right are Zhang Yamin, Xu Hong, Sun Hua and Chen Suhui, and those standing at the back from left to right are Wang Huanyuan and Si Yingkui.

Correspondent: Zhang Yamin

Reporter: Liu Yihan

Photo: The Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Translator: Liu Haiyan

Editor: Sun Qing