Objective: To observe changes of T lymphocyte subgroups in the peripheral blood in cholecystectomy patients undergoing acupuncture anesthesia combined with epidural administration of small dose of anesthetics for studying the effect of acupuncture analgesia on the immuno functional activity. Methods: A total 20 cases of cholecystitis plus cholelithiasis patients were randomly divided into acupuncture combined with epidural anesthesia (ACEA) group (n=10) and epidural anesthesia (EA) group (n=10). Blood samples (2 mL/time) were collected from the peripheral vein before

during and on the 5th day after operation for isolating lymphocytes that were stained with immunocytochemical technique. For comparison

blood samples of control group were collected from 10 cases of healthy people. Results: ① Before anesthesia

there were no significant differences among the 3 groups in the number of CD 3 +

CD 4 + and CD 8 + and the ratio of CD 4 + and CD 8 + (P>0.05). ② During operation

CD 3 +

CD 4 + and CD 8 + of ACEA group were obviously more than those of EA group (P<0.05). On the 5th day after operation

the number of CD 3 +

CD 4 + and CD 8 + of ACEA group was still obviously higher than that of EA group (P<0.05). ④ Comparison of CD 3 +

CD 4 + and CD 8 + and CD 4 + /CD 8 + before

during and after operation in ACEA group showed no significant differences

while in EA group

the number of T lymphocyte subgroups was decreased slightly

except for CD 4 +(P<0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture could strengthen the analgesic effect of anesthetics

lower the dose of epidural anesthetics and raise lymphocyte mediated immunocompetence.