Abstract: To study the cerebral expression of MMP-9 and ICAM-1 in rats with acupuncture after cerebral ischemic /reperfusion. Methods SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups, electro-acupuncture at "Zusanli" and "Bai hui " group , "Baihui" group, Nimodipime group , joint treatment group of acupuncture and medicine, model ,sham group and control group. Each group contains 12、24、48、72、96 and 144h six time points. The pathological lesion was detected by H.E. staining. We explored the expression of MMP-9 and ICAM-1 in core infarct area by Immunohistochemistry staining. Results H.E. staining showed that the pathological lesion reached the peak at 48th hour in the infarct core area; until the 72th hour cerebral interstitial oedema was alleviated. Also many glial cells and collagen fibers proliferate, and new blood capillaries appear. MMP-9 and ICAM-1 was widely expressed in vascular endothelial and inflammatory cells together with some neurons by immunohistochemistry staining. The positive cells in the ipsilateral region is more than in contralateral region; Comparison within groups shows MMP-9 and ICAM-1 expression at 48th and 144th hours exhibited a double-peak profile, while the expression in electro- acupuncture group at 48h、72 and 96h time points has significant difference compared with that in model group. Conclusions: acupuncture may have the effects on promoting neurological function recovery by up-regulating injury mediation network.

Key words: Acupuncture, “Zulanli”, “Baihui”, ischemia-reperfution injury, matrix metalloproteinases-9