Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture of "Zusanli" and "Zhongwan"(CV 12

front Mu-acupoint) on the expression of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH) mRNA and SP mRNA in stress-induced gastric ulcer(GU) rats.Methods Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group

simple bundling group

GU model group

CV 12 group

ST 36 group and CV 12+ST 36(Ho-and front Mu-acupoint combination) group

with 10 cases in each group.GU model was established by binding the rat's four limbs to an animal board and to immerse it to cool water for 24 h.Manual acupuncture stimulation was applied to CV 12

bilateral ST 36 or CV 12+ST 36 for 20 min

once daily for 2 days.The GU index was evaluated by using Guth's method(1979).GnRH mRNA and SP mRNA expression of the hypothalamus tissue was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results Compared with the normal group

the GU index values in the simple bundling group and the model group were significantly higher(P<0.01);while in comparison with the model group

the GU index values were significantly decreased in the CV 12

ST 36 and CV 12+ST 36 groups(P<0.05

P<0.01).Following stress stimulation

hypothalamic GnRH mRNA expression levels in the simple bundling group and the model group were remarkably increased(P<0.05

P<0.01)

whereas those of hypothalamic SP mRNA expression had no apparent changes in these two groups(P>0.05).After manual acupuncture intervention

hypothalamic GnRH mRNA expression levels in the CV 12

ST 36 and CV 12+ST 36 groups were evidently down-regulated and SP mRNA expression levels in the ST 36 and CV 12+ST 36 groups were remarkably upregulated in comparison with the model group(P<0.01).No significant differences were found between the CV 12 and ST 36 groups in the GU index

among the CV 12

ST 36 and CV 12+ST 36 groups in GnRH mRNA expression

and between the CV 12 and model groups in the expression levels of SP mRNA(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture of CV 12 and ST 36 can relieve stress-induced gastric ulcer in the rat

which is closely with its effect in down-regulating hypothalamic GnRH mRNA expression.