Influence of Electroacupuncture of Zusanli (ST36) on Epidermal Growth Factor and Nitricoxide in Alcohol-induced Gastromucosal Lesion Rabbits

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupunctureof Zusanli (ST36) on epidermal growth factor (EGF) and nitricoxide (NO) in alcohol-induced gastromucosal lesion rabbits for analyzing the relationship between cytoprotection and EGF, NO, and there is or not point relative specificity in effect of Zusanli on EGF and NO. Methods 32 rabbits were randomly and evenly divided into Zusanli (ST36), non-acupoint, model and control groups. Gastric mucosal injury model was induced by intragastric infusion of dehydrated alcohol (2.35 mL/kg). The content of EGF of gastric mucoucs tissue and the content of NO of serums in each group were detected. Results EGF levels of gastric mucoucs tissues in model group were lowest, it was significant difference in comparison with control groups (P 0.01). After electroacupuncture of Zusanli (ST36), EGF levels of gastric mucoucs tissues in Zusanli group were obviously higher than those of model group (P 0.05) and serums NO levels in it were increased significantly in comparison with model and non-acupoint groups (P 0.05). Conclusion There findings suggest that the possible mechanism of cytoprotection of electroacupuncture of Zusanli (ST36) was that EGF levels in gastric mucoucs tissues, serums NO levels were increased. There was point relative specificity in the effect of Zusanli (ST36).