Objective To observe the inhibitory effect of auricular concha transcutaneous electrostimulation(ACTES) of different frequencies and duration on acute seizures in epilepsy rats so as to select a better stimulating parameter for relieving epilepsy.Methods According to the stimulation duration of ACTES

44 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into:30 s

5 min

10 min

and 30 min groups.Epilepsy model was duplicated by intraperitoneal injection of PTZ(pentylenetetrazol

50 mg/kg).Cerebral field potentials delivered from the fixed 4 recording electrodes array(A-P:-3-6

L: 4-6

H: 1.5) and re-ference electrode(a fixed screw) touching the cerebral dura surface were recorded using a data acquisition system(CerebusTM 5.0 system).Transcutaneous electrostimulation(1 mA

duration 500 μs) of frequency 2 Hz

20 Hz and 100 Hz was applied to auricular concha by using an electric stimulator.The anti-epileptic effects of ACTES were evaluated by using the duration and rate of seizure suppression.Results(1)The anti-epileptic effect of 20 Hz-ACTES was markedly longer than those of 2 Hz and 100 Hz in the duration of seizure suppression(P<0.05).(2) After 2 Hz-ACTES

the anti-epileptic effects(duration and inhibitory rate) in 30 s-stimulation group were markedly longer than those of the 5 min-

10 min-and 30 min-stimulation groups(P<0.01

P<0.05).(3) After 100 Hz-ACTES

the anti-epileptic effects(duration and rate of seizure suppression) in the 30 min-stimulation group were markedly longer than those in the 30 s-

5 min-and 10 min-stimulation group(P<0.01

P<0.05).Conclusion ACTES at 20 Hz can effectively lessen epileptic seizures

and under fixed stimulating frequencies of 2 Hz and 100 Hz

the anti-epileptic effects of 30 s ACTES and 30 min-ACTES are obviously better in epilepsy rats.