The effect of repeated acupuncture stimulation on canine lymphocyte response.

Twenty normal healthy mongrel dogs were divided equally into four groups. Acupoints were stimulated bilaterally by insertion of sterilized stainless needles at ST-36. The needles were inserted and left in situ for 30 minutes/day. The single acupuncture group was needled for a day without an electric stimulator, and the repeated acupuncture group was needled once a day for five days. The single electroacupuncture group was stimulated for a day with for electric stimulator (1 volt, 2Hz, 1msec, positive square wave), and the repeated electroacupuncture group were stimulated once a day for five days. Cellular immunological responses and hematological findings were determined after repeated acupuncture stimulations. ANAE positive cells stained by alpha naphthyl acetate esterase, the stimulation index of lymphocytes blastformed by incubation with phytohemagglutinin and the Y-globulin of serum protein all decreased within several days after repeated electroacupuncture stimulations, representing a decrease in basal immunological response. After the repeated electroacupuncture stimulation on the ST-36, it was suggested that in healthy dogs the depression of the immunological responses was due chiefly to the T-cells.