Effects of Electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu （ST 37） on lnterleukin-1β and Interleukin-4 in the Ulcerative Colitis Model Rats

• Published in: Journal of traditional Chinese medicine no. 1; pp. 60 - 63
• Main Author: 严杰 张泓 陈楚淘 杨茜云 廖文峰 陈平国
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Wistar大鼠; 三硝基苯磺酸; 半导体; 抗炎细胞因子; 模型大鼠; 溃疡性结肠炎; 白细胞介素4
• ISSN: 0255-2922

Objective： To probe into the mechanisms of electroacupuncture （EA） at Shangjuxu （ST 37） for treatment of the ulcerative colitis （UC）. Methods： Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups： a normal group, a model group, a Shangjuxu group and a non-acupoint group, 10 rats in each group. The UC rat model was made with enema of trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid （TNBSA）, and the changes of interleuldn-1β （IL-1β） and interleukin-4 （IL-4） contents after EA at Shangjuxu （ST 37） were observed. Results： EA at Shangjuxu （ST 37） could significantly decrease the IL-1β content and increase the IL-4 content in the colic tissues of the UC rats with significant differences as compared with the model group and the non-acupoint group （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Conclusion： The mechanisms of EA at Shangjuxu （ST 37） for treatment of the UC rats is possibly related with the decrease of IL-1β, a inflammation-promoting cytokine, and the increase of IL-4, a anti-inflammatory cytokine.