[Effect of acupuncture of different acupoints on immune function in rats with exhausted swimming].

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture of "Zusanli" (ST 36) on immune function in progressively exhausted swimming rats so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improvement of strenuous exercise.

Methods: Thirty-two SD rats were randomly allocated into control group, strenuous exercise (model) group, acupuncture-Xuehai (SP 10) group, Acupuncture-Zusanli (ST 36) group (n = 8/group). The rats were forced to have a swimming in a water tank for 15-90 min in the first 8 days (once daily), then, a progressively exhausted load swimming 1 - 3 times everyday from day 9 to 13.