TNF and brain infarction: Liu et al [53] found that EA treatment at LI11 and ST36 acupoints in rats with MCAO decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6, reduced the volume of cerebral infarction, and improved nerve motor function, suggesting that the neuroprotection afforded by EA against CIR injury involved an anti-inflammation effect.