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

In a previous study, we have reported that acupuncture increases cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus after transient global ischemia in gerbils. In the present study, the effect of auricular acupuncture (AA) on dentate cell 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 dentate 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 proliferation in the dentate gyrus of adult rats.