Objective To observe the effect of warm acupuncture on behavior and contents of serum immunoglobulin E(IgE)

interleukin-1β (IL-1β )and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in allergic rhinitis(AR)rats

so as to explore its mechanism underlying improving AR.Methods Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups:control group

model group

medication group and warm acupuncture group(10 rats/group).The AR model was established by intraperitoneal injection of sensitization and nasal drip.The rats in the medication group were given fluticasone propionate nasal spray

daily for 10 days.Warm acupuncture was applied to"Fengchi"(GB 20)

"Yintang"(GV 29)

"Yingxiang"(LI 20)for 60 seconds

once daily for 10 days.Behavioral scores were used to evaluate behavioral changes in rats.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the expression levels of serum IgE

IL-1β and TNF-α.Results Behavioral scores of the model group were significantly higher than those of the control group 0

3

7 and 10 days after modeling(P<0.05).After treatment

the behavioral scores of medication group and the warm acupuncture group were lower than those of the model group(P<0.05)

and the score was more lower in the warm acupuncture group than in the medication group(P<0.05).Compared with the control group

the levels of serum IgE

IL-1β and TNF-αin the model group were all increased(P<0.01)

while the levels of serum IgE

IL-1β and TNF-αwere decreased in the medication and warm acupuncture groups after treatment in comparison with the model group(P<0.05

P<0.01).Compared with the medication group

the levels of serum IgE

IL-1β and TNF-αwere significantly lower in the warm acupuncture group(P<0.05

P<0.01).Conclusion The expression levels of IgE

IL-1β and TNF-αwere elevated in serum after AR attack.Warm acupuncture can improve the symptoms of AR rats

which may be associated to its effect in inhibiting the expression of serum IgE

IL-1β and TNF-α.