Objective To observe effects of electroacupuncture(EA) of "Guanyuan"(GV 4)-"Housanli"(ST 36)-"Baihui"(GV 20

"Shuanggu Yitong" acupoint prescription) on the expression of splenic lymphocyte apoptosis-related genes Fas

Bax

and Bcl-2 in aging rats with yang deficiency.Methods Thirty Sprague-Dawley aged female rats were randomly and equally divided into normal control

yang deficiency model(model) and EA groups.The yang deficiency model was established by subcutaneous injection of D-galactose(125 mg/kg) and hydrocortisone(1.5 mg/100 g).EA(2 Hz

1 mA) was applied to "Guanyuan"(GV 4)

"Housanli"(ST 36) and "Baihui"(GV 20) for 15 min

once daily

6 times per week for 4 weeks.The expression of pro-apoptotic genes Fas

Bax and anti-apoptosis gene Bcl-2 in the spleen tissues were detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR.Results In comparison with the normal control group

splenic Fas mRNA and Bax mRNA expression levels were up-regulated significantly

and Bcl-2 mRNA expression level was down-regulated considerably in the model group(P<0.01).After EA intervention

splenic Fas mRNA and Bax mRNA expression levels were down-regulated markedly

while Bcl-2 mRNA expression up-regulated remarkably in the EA group(P<0.05

P<0.01).Conclusion EA of acupoint prescription ["Guanyuan"(GV 4)

"Housanli"(ST 36) and "Baihui"(GV 20)] can down-regulate spleen Fas mRNA and Bax mRNA expression

and up-regulate Bcl-2 mRNA expression in aging rats with yang deficiency

which may contribute to its effect in improving yang deficiency in clinic.