[Acupuncture at Shangjuxu (ST37) to Inhibit Distention of Colon Induced Discharge Reaction of LC: an Experimental Study].

OBJECTIVE: To study possible mechanisms of Shangjuxu (ST37) and the large intestine. METHODS: Totally 40 SD rats were selected. The distension of end colon was used as injured afferent stimulus. Activities of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons were recorded by extracellular microelectrode technique. Shangjuxu (ST37) and Hegu (L14) were needled to observe general features of discharge reactions, distention of colon induced discharge reactions of LC, and its effects on distention of colon induced discharge reactions of LC. RESULTS: Distention of colon could induce incrased discharge of LC neurons by 127.33% ± 45.48%. But needling at Shangjuxu (ST37) and Hegu (L14) could inhibit this injured response by 38.24% ± 7.69% and 21.29% ± 13.16% respectively (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Needling at Shangjuxu (ST37) and afferent signals of colon distension converged and interacted with each other. Needling at Shangjuxu (ST37) could significantly inhibit colon distension induced discharge of LC neurons, which might be one of mechanisms for Shangjuxu (ST37) and the large intestine relationship.

[Influence on electroacupuncture at "Qiangzhuang" acupoints for neuro-immune regulation of sub-acute aged rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the underlying mechanism of electroacupuncture for anti-aging. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats (female and male take one half for each), 3-month old, were divided into a control group, a model group, a routine electroacupuncture group (current intensity, 1 mA) and a strong electroacupuncture group (current intensity, 4.5 mA), 10 rats in each group. The model of aged rats was established by D-galactose in the latter three groups. The acupoints of "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) were used for electroacupuncture treatment, six times per week for 4 weeks. After that, the level of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the serum, as well as the expression of neuropeptide Y mRNA (NPY mRNA) and IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) in the periventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) were examined and compared between each group. RESULTS: In comparison of the control rats, the model rats expressed with the lower level of NPY mRNA in PVN, higher levels of IL-6 in the serum and IL-6R in PVN, which is different from each other (P < 0.05). In both routine electroacupuncture group and strong electroacupuncture group, the level of NPY mRNA in PVN was up-regulated, in contrast, the levels of IL-6 in the serum and IL-6R in PVN were cut down, which were different from those of the model group (both P < 0.05). Furthermore, the therapeutic effect of the strong electroacupuncture group is different from that of the routine electroacupuncture group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at "Qiangzhuang" acupoints plays an active role to slow down the aging process on the sub-acute aged rats through regulating the function of neuro-immune system, and the therapeutic effect of strong stimulation is better than that of routine stimulation.

[Influence of electroacupuncture of Guanyuan (GV 4) and Zusanli (ST 36) on the immune function of T cells in aging rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) on T cell immunologic function in the aged rats so as to reveal its underlying mechanism in anti-aging effect. METHODS: Fifty SD rats (half male and half female) were randomly divided into normal control (young rats), aging model (model), EA group, immunosuppression (IS), and EA+ IS groups. Aging model (in the late 4 groups) was duplicated by subcutaneous injection of D-galactose for 40 days. Guanyuan (CV 4) and bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) were punctured and stimulated electrically (2 Hz, 1 mA), 15 min every time, six times a week and for four weeks. IS model was induced by i. p. i. of cytoxan (60 mg/kg) after 26 and 27 days' EA treatment. Splenetic T lymphocyte proliferation index was assayed by Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) chromatometry. IL-2/IL-2 receptor (R) expression level of T cells was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CD8+ CD28(+) -T cell subset fluorescence intensity was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, the splenetic T lymphocyte proliferation index, IL-2 and IL-2R expression levels, and CD8+ CD28(+) -T cell density in model and IS groups decreased significantly (P < 0.01). In comparison with model group, the abovementioned indexes in EA and EA + IS groups increased significantly (P < 0.01), and those indexes levels of EA + IS group were also significantly higher than those in IS group ( P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Comparison between EA and EA+ IS groups showed that CD8+ CD2+ T cell expression of the later group was significantly lower than that in EA group (P < 0 05). No significant differences were found between EA and EA + IS groups in T cell proliferation rate and IL-2 and IL-2R expression levels (P > 0.05) CONCLUSION: EA of CV 4 and ST 36 induced upregulation of T cell proliferation and IL-2/IL-2R, and CD8+ CD(+)28 -T cell may contribute to its antiaging and immuno-enhancement effects in the aged rats.