Objective: To observe the relationship among Nucleus of the Solitary Tract (NTS)

“Sibai” (ST 2) and stomach in the rat. Methods: Thirty-two SD rats were randomized into normal control group

“Sibai” group

non-acupoint (0.5 cm beside ST-2) group and gastric-distention group with 8 cases being in each group. EA (4 Hz

50 Hz

20 V) was applied to “Sibai” (ST 2) and non-acupoint for 20 min. Gastric distention was conducted for 20 min by using a balloon filled with 5 mL of normal saline. The sections of medulla oblongata tissues containing NTS were stained with immunohistochemical technique (ABC method) for displaying expression of c-fos. Results: Microscopic observation showed that fos-like immunoreaction (IR) positive cells mainly presented in medial subnucleus of NTS (mnTS)

middle and caudal medulla oblongata. The IR-positive cells of mnTS in normal control

“Sibai”

non-acupoint and gastric-distention groups were 5.50 ±2.30

32.03±7.35

14.76±3.06 and 31.03±3.60 respectively. The IR-positive cells of “Sibai”

non-acupoint and gastric-distention groups were significantly more than those of normal control group (P<0.01)

those of “Sibai” group were significantly more than those of non-acupoint group; and no significant difference was found between “Sibai” and gastric distention groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Results display that the sensatory information from EA of “Sibai” (ST 2) and gastric distention may converge on NTS

suggesting a relatively specific connection between Sibai and stomach.