[Effects of electroacupuncture stimulation of "Zusanli" (ST 36) on the regional vascular intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 mRNA expression and mast cell activity in normal rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of "Zusanli" (ST 36) on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mRNA expression and mast cell (MC) distribution in the stimulated subcutaneous tissues in nor- mal rats, so as to study the correlation between ICAM-1 mRNA expression and MC activity during EA.

Methods: Twenty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to normal group and EA group. EA(2 Hz/15 Hz, 0.

[Effect of acupoint-injection of stem cell factor antibody on electroacupuncture induced changes of count and degranulation of subcutaneous mast cells in the local region in rats].

Objective: To observe the alternations of local mast cells (MCs) in the number and functional activities after electroacupuncture (EA) and injection of stem cell factor (SOF) antibody into "Weishu" (BL 21) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) in rats.

Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to normal, EA, and EA + SCF antibody injection (EA-ABI) groups (n=10). EA was applied to the left "Weishu"(BL 21) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 25 min.

[Observation on the leptin level in the subcutaneous tissues of the high temperature reaction zone along the abdominal gallbladder Meridian in rabbits with cholecystitis].

Objective: To observe the content of leptin in the abdominal subcutaneous tissues of the higher temperature zone along the Gallbladder (GB) Meridian in cholecystitis rabbits so as to explore the correlation between the temperature response and the leptin level.

Methods: Twenty-five rabbits were randomized into normal control group (n = 10) and cholecystitis model group (n = 15). Cholecystitis model was established by injection of Escherichia coli solution (0.

[Protecting action of acupuncture serum on calcium over-loaded neurons of the hippocampus in rats of ischemia-reperfusion].

Objective: To investigate the effect of acupuncture serum on Ca2+ content in the cultured nervous cells of hippocampus after ischemia-reperfusion, so as to probe into humoral factors in acupuncture treatment.

Methods: The neurons of the hippocampus from the new born rats were cultured for 9-11 days. Fluorescein-molecular probe Fluo-3 AM was used for staining of intracellular Ca2+.

Effects of electroacupuncture on cardiac and gastric activities in acute myocardial ischemia rats.

Aim: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Neiguan" (PC6) and "Gongsun" (SP4) on pathological changes of the heart and stomach in rats with acute myocardial ischemia (AMI), and to explore its underlying mechanism.

Methods: Fifty Wistar rats were randomized into control, model, PC6, SP4 and PC6 + SP4 groups (n = 8 each group). An AMI model was established by occlusion of the descending anterior branch (DAB) of the left coronary artery.

[Correlation between the therapeutic efficacy of electroacupuncture of ear-body acupoints and mast cells in experimental gastric ulcer rats].

Objective: To study the interrelation between the therapeutic efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) and mast cells (MC) in experimental gastric ulcer rats.

Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group and EA group, with 10 cases in each. Experimental gastric ulcer model was established by injecting 20% glacial acetic acid (0.

A discovery of low hydraulic resistance channel along meridians.

A hydro-mechanic model was put forward to study the fundamental nature of acupuncture meridians. The basic state of low hydraulic resistance was tested on humans and mini pigs using three methods. The first, a modified Guyton's method, proved that there was lower hydraulic resistance on meridians compared with nonmeridians.

[Effect of electroacupuncture and moxibustion of "Dazhui" (GV14) on the number and distribution of degranulated mast cells in GV14 region].

Objective: To compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion on the degranulated mast cell number and distribution in "Dazhui" (GV14) region of rats.

Methods: Fifteen Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control, EA and moxibustion groups, with 5 cases in each group. "Dazhui" (GV14) was stimulated by EA (3/10 Hz, 2-4 V, 20 mm) or moxibustion (2 cones, 20 mm), thereafter, the tissues of GV14 region were sampled, quickly frozen, sectioned (20 microm) and stained with toluidine blue separately for observing the degranulated state of mast cells under microscope.

[Progress in the study on the relationship between effects of acu-moxibustion and mast cells in acupoints].

The present paper reviews develonment of researches on the relationship between mast cells (MCs) and effects of acupuncture and moxibustion from (1) the formation, distribution, types, morphological characters of MCs and their biological effects, (2) the number and degranulation of MCs in acupoints, (3) the relavance of MCs and the phenomenon of sensation transmission along meridian, and 4) the correlation between the therapeutic effect of acupuncture for relieving allergic reaction and MCs. Researches show that (1) MCs act as one of the characteristic constituents in acupoints where the MCs are in close relation with the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion, (2) MCs participate in the regulatory process of the organism in physiology and pathology. The underlying mechanism of MCs-related neuro-humoral regulation and meridian needs to be studied further.

[Acupuncture-serum decreases Ca2+ content in cultured rat myocardial cells].

Objective: To explore whether humoral factors play a role in the mechanisms of acupuncture.

Methods: Primary culture of myocardial cells of neonatal rats were carried out. Five days later, they were labeled by fluorescent molecular probe Fluo-3AM.