Objective To observe the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS) of "Zusanli"(ST 36) on gastric mucosal injury in rats with exercise stress-induced gastric ulcer.Methods Twenty-four SD rats were randomly and equally divided into normal control

model and TEAS groups.Gastric ulcer model was established by forcing the rat to run on a treadmill(15 m/min) till exhaustion

once daily continuously for 15 days.TEAS was applied to bilateral "Zusanli"(ST 36) for 30 min

once daily for 15 days.Behavior changes(crossing and rearing scores) were assessed using open-field test.The ulcer index(UI) of the gastric mucosa was measured by giving the mottling bleeding

streak-like hemorrhage and lesion width with scores according to Guth's method.Contents of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α(6-keto-PGF1α) and thromboxane B 2(TXB2) of gastric mucosal tissue were measured using radioimmunoassay.Results Compared with the normal group

the levels of crossing and rearing levels in open-field tests

and the duration of forced treadmill running exhaustion

gastromocosal 6-keto-PGF1α and TXB2 contents in the model group were obviously reduced(P<0.01)

while the UI of model group was obviously increased(P<0.01).In comparison with the model group

the scores of crossing and rearing in open-field tests and the duration of forced treadmill running exhaustion and gastromocosal 6-keto-PGF1α and TXB2 contents of TEAS group were significantly increased(P<0.05)

and the Ul of TEAS group was obviously decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion TEAS of "Zusanli"(ST 36) can protect gastric mucosa from injury in exercise stress-induced gastric ulcer rats.