Objective: To observe the anti-inflammatory effects of electroacupuncture(EA) at "Quchi"(LI 11) and its influence on IL-1β

TNF-α concentrations and mRNA expressions in carrageenan(CAR)-induced inflammation rats

so as to reveal partial mechanisms of EA in relieving acute inflammation.Methods: Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into control

model

Indomethacin(IND

7.5 mg/kg

oral perfusion)

Rofecoxib(7.5 mg/kg

oral perfusion)

EA-pre-treatment(EA was given once daily for 5 days before modeling)

EA-post-treatment(EA was given once after modeling) groups

with 10 cases in each.EA(2 Hz

5 mA and persistent waves) was applied to "Quchi"(LI 11) for 30 min each time.Arthritis model was established by subcutaneous injection of 1% CAR

0.1 mL into the right hind paw.Paw edema degree of the affected hind paw was measured with a foot-volume surveyor.After processing samples of the affected paw toes(including smashing

centrifugalization

etc)

concentrations of prostaglandin(PG) E2

interleukin(IL)-1β

tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Expressions of IL-1β mRNA and TNF-α mRNA in the local inflammatory tissues were detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) assay.Results: Compared with model group

the affected hind-paw-volume decreased significantly from 2 h on in EA-post-treatment group and from 1 h on in IND group after injection of CAR.Compared with control group

PGE2

IL-1β and TNF-α contents in the toe tissue of model group increased significantly;while in comparison with model group

PGE2 and IL-1β levels in EA-post-treatment group

IL-1β level in IND group decreased significantly(P<0.05)

and TNF-α level in IND group increased significantly.No significant differences were found between model group and Rofecoxib and EA-pre-treatment groups in most time-courses of the hind-paw-volume

between model and IND

Rofecoxib and EA-pre-treatment groups in PGE2

between model and EA-pre-treatment groups in IL-1β

and between model and Rofecoxib

EA-pre-treatment and EA-post-treatment groups in TNF-α contents(P>0.05).Compared with model group

IL-1β mRNA expression of the local inflammatory tissues in IND and EA-post-treatment groups was down-regulated

and TNF-α mRNA expression in Rofecoxib and two EA groups down-regulated slightly.Conclusion: EA possesses anti-inflammatory effect in acute arthritis rats

which is closely related to its effects in reducing the secretion of PGE2

IL-1β and TNF-α and the expression of IL-1β mRNA and TNF-α mRNA.