[Effects of electroacupuncture on T-lymphocytes, spleen index, thymus index and lymphopoiesis levels in strenuous exercise-induced stress rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on levels of T-lymphocytes, spleen index, thymus index and lymphopoiesis in strenuous exercise-induced immunosuppression rats, so as to study its mechanisms underlying improving immune function of strenuous training athletes. METHODS: A total of 43 SD rats were randomly allocated to control (n = 10), model (n = 17) and EA (n = 16) groups. Immunosuppression model was established by forcing the rat to swim for 150 min in a water tank, once daily, 6 times a week and for 8 weeks. EA (2 Hz, < 1 mA) was applied to bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Guanyuan" (CV 4) for 20 min, once daily for 7 weeks. Spleen weight and thymus weight were detected after killing the anesthetized rats for calculating spleen index and thymus index, separately. Peripheral blood T cell subsets were measured by using flow cytometer, and lymphopoiesis was detected by using 3H-thymidine deoxyribonucleotide (3H-TdR) incorporation. RESULTS: In comparison with the control group, spleen index, thymus index, lymphopoiesis and CD3+ levels of the model group were decreased significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, peripheral blood CD3+, CD4+ and NKC levels, and thymus and spleen indexes were increased considerably in EA group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the control and model groups in CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+ /CD8+ and NKC levels, and between the model and EA groups in CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ levels (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA intervention can effectively upregulate peripheral blood CD3+, CD4+ and NKC, and thymus and spleen indexes in strenuous training rats, which may contribute to its effect in relieving strenuous exercise-induced immunosuppression.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on IL-2-IFN-NKC immunity immunoloregulation net and IL-2 receptor in rats with exercise stress].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of electroacupuncture on exercise-induced immunosuppression in rats and its mechanism. METHODS: Sports immunosuppressive model was established successfully by the rats were conducted high intensity swimming training 150 min/day, 6 days/wk for 8 weeks in this study. Forty-three SD rats were randomly divided into a control group (group A, n = 10), a high intensity swimming training group (group B, n = 17), and a high intensity plus electroacupuncture group (group C, n = 16). Group A did not receive any intervention. Group B was conducted 150 min/day, 6 days/wk swimming training for 8 weeks. Group C was treated with electroacupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) after every exercise-time from the second week, once each day for 7 weeks. The changes of the rats' weight, gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN), interleukin-2 (IL-2), solubility IL-2 receptor (SIL-2R) and nature killer cell (NKC) were detected. RESULTS: (1) Compared with group A, gamma-IFN and IL-2 in group B were significantly decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and NKC in group C was significantly increased (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, gamma-IFN and NKC in group C were both significantly higher than that in group B (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (2) Compared with group A, the weight of the rats in group B and group C were significantly decreased (both P < 0.01), but SIL-2R in group B was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The weight of the rats in group C was significantly higher than that in group B (P < 0.05) and SIL-2R in group C was significantly lower than that in group B (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Lasting gravis exercise stress does decrease the immune function in rats and is even inhibited significantly, but electroacupuncture can up-regulate the exercise-induced immunosuppression.