Objective: To explore the mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of prostate hyperplasia in rats.Methods: Thirty SD male rats were randomized into control(sham-operation)

model and acupuncture groups

with 10 cases in each group.Prostate hyperplasia model was established by castration under anesthesia(25% Pentobarbital Sodium

(2 mL/kg)

i.p.)

and subcutaneous injection of Testosterone Propionate((4 mg/kg/d)) for 30 days.The rats in control group were treated with surgical isolation and subcutaneous injection of normal saline."Guanyuan"(CV 4)

bilateral "Qihai"(CV 6) and bilateral "Sanyinjiao"(SP 6) were punctured and stimulated by manipulating the needle with twirling reinforcing method.The treatment was conducted once daily

21 days altogether.The prostate weight index [(prostate damp weight/body weight)×100%]

serum testosterone(Ts)

estradiol(E_2) contents were detected with radioimmunoassay

and the anatomical structure of the prostate was observed under light microscope and electronic microscope.Results: Compared with control group

the prostate damp weight

prostate weight index

serum E_2 content and E_2/Ts of model group increased significantly(P<0.05)

but the body weight of model group decreased considerably(P<0.05);while compared with model group

the prostate damp weight

prostate weight index

serum E_2 content and E_2/Ts of acupuncture group reduced apparently(P<0.05).No significant differences were found between model and acupuncture groups in body weight

and among the 3 groups in serum Ts level(P>0.05).In model group

the glandular cells arranged in disorder

the lumen of gland enlarged

and the epithelial cells increased in number

while the state of acupuncture group was much better.Conclusion: Acupuncture can significantly restrain prostate hyperplasia

lower serum E_2 level and prostate index in prostate hyperplasia rats.