Objective To observe the effect of needle pricking therapy on the expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin(TSLP)protein

T-box expressed in T cells(T-bet)mRNA and GATA-binding protein-3(GATA 3)mRNA in the lung tissue of mice with asthma

so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of asthma.Methods Thirty female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control

model and needle pricking groups(10mice/group).The asthma model was established by i.p.of Ovalbumin(OVA)suspension fluid(containing Aluminium Hydroxide 400μg and OVA 100μg

50μg/L)and forced inhalation of atomized OVA.A sharp needle was held to prick"Dazhui"(GV 14)

"Feishu"(BL 13)

"Dingchuan"(EX-B 1)

"Fengmen"(BL12)

"Shenshu"(BL 23)and"Pishu"(BL 20)acupoint regions to let a little bit of white fibrous tissue out

then to insert into the acupoints to about 1mm in depth

once a day for seven times.The lung tissue was taken for detecting the expression of T-bet mRNA and GATA-3mRNA by RT-PCR and for determining the immunoactivity of TSLP by immunofluorescence method.In addition

HE staining was used to examine the pathologic changes of the lung tissue.Results Compared with the control group

the expression levels of GATA-3mRNA and TSLP protein of the lung tissue in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01)

whereas that of T-bet mRNA was remarkably decreased(P<0.05).Following needle prick stimulation treatment

the expression levels of GATA-3mRNA and TSLP protein were markedly down-regulated(P<0.01)and that of T-bet mRNA was obviously upregulated(P<0.05).After the treatment

pathological changes including hyperemia of the pulmonary alveoli

epithelial thickening

narrowing of the lumina

and infiltration of many inflammatory cells around the tracheal blood vessels were improved.Conclusion Needle pricking therapy can regulate the expression of pulmonary TSLP protein and GATA 3and T-bet genes in mice with asthma

which may contribute to its effect in improving pulmonary pathological changes of asthma mice.