Auricular acupuncture increases cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus ofSprague-Dawley rats

In a previous study, we have reported that acupuncture increases cell proli feration in the dentate gyrus after transient global ischemia in gerbils. I n the present study, the effect of auricular acupuncture (AA) on dentate ce ll proliferation was examined in appropriately fed and food-deprived adult Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rats. 5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-5'-monophosphate (BrdU) immunohistochemistry revealed a significant increase in cell birth in the d entate gyrus of both groups after AA treatment. In addition, the effect of AA on cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus was more profound in the food -supplied group. These findings demonstrate that AA enhances cell prolifera tion in the dentate gyrus of adult rats.