Objective: To observe the effect of electro-needling at acupoints of the yangming meridian on the expression of platelet associated complement-1 (PAC-1) and lower limb functions in acute cerebral infarction (ACI) patients.
Methods: 58 ACI patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group. Conventional therapies were given to all patients. Additionally, the electro-needling at acupoints of the yangming meridian was given to patients in the treatment group. Changes of PAC-1 were detected using flow cytometry. Effect of lower limbs functions of ACI patients before and after electro-needling was assessed using Fugl-Meyer Index. Meanwhile, 20 healthy subjects were selected for reference value.
Results: In the acute stage, the PAC-1 level in ACI patients were significantly higher than that in healthy subjects (P<0.05). The PAC-1 level in the electro-needling group was obviously lowered after treatment (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the control group between before and after treatment. Significant difference was found in Fugl-Meyer index in the same group between before and after two-week treatment (P<0.05). It was higher in the electro-needling group than in the control group, showing significant difference (P<0.01).
Conclusions: Platelet activation exists in the acute stage of ACI. Electro-needling at acupoints of the yangming meridian showed obvious inhibition on PAC-1 levels, could improve lower limbs functions of ACI patients. It was inferred that electro-needling at acupoints of the yangming meridian promoted the recovery of paralyzed lower limbs at the early stage mainly by regulating PAC-1 levels, thus postponing the progress of ACI.