Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) stimulation combined with moxibustion(MOX) on changes of the kidney and ureter tissue

plasma and uterine Ca2+

creatinine(Cr) and urea nitrogen(UN) concentrations in rats with renal calcium oxalate stone

so as to reveal its mechanism underlying relieving kidney stone.Methods A total of 60 Wistar rats were randomized into control group

model group

EA plus MOX of "Pangguangshu"(BL 28)

"Sanyinjiao"(SP 6) and "Zhishi"(BL 52)(routine EA-MOX group)

EA-intensive(INT) MOX of "Shenshu"(BL 23

EA-INT-MOX-BL 23 group) and EA-INT-MOX-Ashi group(12 rats/group).Renal calcium oxalate stone model was established by feeding the animal with 1% ethylene alcohol and 1% ammonium chloride for 7 days.EA was applied to BL 28

SP 6

BL 52

BL 23

and Ashi-point for 15 min

respectively.For rats of the EA-INT-MOX-BL 23 group

EA intervention was applied to the superficial

medium and deep layers of BL 23 for 5 min

respectively

and INT MOX was given for 11-13 min.Plasma and uterine Ca2+conctents were detected by absorption spectrometry

plasma and urine Cr contents determined by sarcosine oxidase method.Blood UN(BUN) level was determined by enzyme coupling rate method and uric acid(UA) detected by photoelectric colorimetry method.Results Compared with the control group

inflammatory cell infiltration

congestion

space enlargement in the glomcrulus and renal interstitium

and unsmooth of the ureter wall with exfoliated necrosis tissue in the ureter were seen in the model group.These situations were relatively milder in the routine EA-MOX

EA-INT-MOX-BL 23 and EA-INT-MOX-Ashi groups.In comparison with the control group

plasma and uterine Ca2+ Cr

BUN

and UA levels were increased significantly in the model group(P<0.01).While compared to the model group

plasma and uterine Ca2+ Cr

BUN

and UA levels were down-regulated considerably(P<0.05

P<0.01) in the three treatment groups

and the effects of both EA-INT-MOX-BL 23 and EA-INT-MOX-Ashi groups were significantly superior to those of the routine EA-MOX group(P<0.05

P<0.01).Conclusion EA plus intensive moxibustion can effectively lower plasma and uterine Ca2+

Cr

BUN and UA levels

and improve pathological changes of the kidney in kidney stone rats

which may contribute to its effect in bettering renal function.The effect of EA plus intensive moxibustion is markedly better than that of routine EA plus moxibustion in lowering plasma and urine biochemical indexes.