Objective: To study the effect of acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20) on the activation of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) in the middle meningeal artery of migraine modeled rats.
Methods: Forty-four clean grade healthy female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, blank control group, Fengchi (GB 20) acupuncture group, and Fengchi (GB 20) prevention group. Neurogenic inflammation of these rats was induced by electrical stimulation. The γ-32P infiltration method was then used to detect MLCK activation in the middle meningeal artery, and immunocytochemistry was applied to detect the structural protein expression of MLCK.
Results: The miaraine model was successfully established in the rats. Compared with the control group, MLCK activation was significantly decreased in the blank control group (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The activation of MLCK in the middle meningeal artery was increased by acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20), indicating its effectiveness in preventing and curing on acute migraine attacks.