Effect of acupuncture on expression of connexion 43 in "Zusanli" (ST 36) of the rat / 中国针灸

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe effects of acupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) and non-channel-non-acupoint on expression of connexion 43 in the rat, so as to probe into possible relationship between the acupoint and connexion 43 (Cx43).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty healthy SD rats were randomly divided into a non-acupuncture group and an acupuncture group, 10 rats in each group. Quantity and distribution of Cx43 on skin tissue of "Zusanli" and non-channel-non-acupoint were detected by immunohistochemistry with a fluorescence double-label technique and laser scanning confocal microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cx43 was mainly expressed in epidermis, hair follicles and other epithelial keratinocytes; the expression of Cx43 in the acupoint was significantly higher than that at the non-channel-non-acupoint in the non-acupuncture group (P<0.01); after acupuncture at acupoint expression of Cx43 in the acupuncture group significantly increased, with a very significant difference as compared with that in the acupoint in the non-acupuncture group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Connexion 43 and gap junctions in acupoint are possibly the main components of acupoints, and acupuncture can significantly increase expression of connexion 43 in acupoints.</p>