WANG Li-chun, LIU Hai-yan, WANG Zhi-yong, LI Bao-dong, GE Jie-ying, MA Li
Issue 4, Pages: 195-198(2005)
摘要:Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture on hemorheology and cerebral nitric oxide synthase(NOS) activity and nitric oxide(NO) content in vascular dementia(VD) rats.Methods: A total of 36 Wistar rats were evenly and randomly divided into control,model,acupuncture and medication groups.VD model was established by using 2-vascular occlusion method."Baihui"(GV 20) and "Dazhui"(GV 14) were punctured with the needles manipulated for 5 min and retained for 30 min,once daily,4 weeks altogether.Rats of medication group were fed with Piracotum(20 mg/mL),once daily,4 weeks altogether.The rats' learning and memory ability was tested by using shuttle box(passive and active avoidance) test.At the end of the study,blood samples were collected by extracting out the eyeball for detecting whole blood viscosity(WBV),plasma viscosity(PV),hematocrit and fibrinogen content separately,and the brain tissues(except brainstem and cerebella) were taken out to be processed into homogenate for detecting NOS activity and NO content with colorimetric method.Results: Before operation,there were no significant differences among the 4 groups in the times and duration of electric shock,and after operation,the electric shock times and duration of model group increased significantly compared with control group(P<0.05) and with pre-operation in the same group(P<0.001).Compared with model group, the electric shock times and duration of acupuncture and medication groups decreased considerably after operation(P<0.01),suggesting an improvement of the VD rats' learning-memory ability.In comparison with control group,cerebral NO content and NOS activity increased markedly(P<0.001),and compared with model group,these two indexes of acupuncture and medication groups lowered significantly(P<0.05) in spite of being higher than those of control group(P<0.05).No significant differences were found between acupuncture and medication groups in the abovementioned 4 indexes(P>0.05).Compared with control group,the values of high,medium and lower shear rates,PV,hematocrit and fibrinogen in model group were all markedly higher(P<0.05,0.001),while in comparison with model group,these six indexes of acupuncture group declines significantly(P<0.05,0.01) despite of being significantly higher than those of control group(P<0.05).No significant differences were found between medication and model group in the aforementioned six indexes of hemorheology(P>0.05).It indicated that acupuncture could improve hemorheology in VD rats,while medication had no significant effect.Conclusion: Acupuncture of GV 20 and GV 14 can improve the learning and memory ability,reduce cerebral NOS activity and NO content,and improve hemorheology in VD rats.
LIU Cun-zhi, YU Jian-chun, LI Tan, DING Xiao-rong, YUAN Hui-ru, HAN Jing-xian
Issue 4, Pages: 199-202(2005)
摘要:Objective: To explore the underlying mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of vascular dementia(VD).Methods: A total of 28 male rats were randomized into normal group(n=6),sham-operation group(n=6),model group(n=5),acupuncture group(n=6) and non-acupoint group(n=5).Cerebral multi-infarct VD model was established by injecting blood emboli into the internal carotid artery."Tanzhong"(CV 17),"Zhongwan"(CV 12),"Qihai"(CV 6),bilateral "Xuehai"(SP 10),bilateral "Zusanli"(ST 36) and bilateral non-acupoints(at hypochondrium) were punctured respectively,once daily,18 times altogether(3 weeks).The nNOS mRNA expression and nNOS activity were assayed by using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical methods separately.Results: Both in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical assays displayed that in comparison with normal group,the integral optic density(IOD) values of nNOS mRNA and nNOS of hippocampal tissue in VD model group and non-acupoint group were significantly bigger(P<0.01,0.05);and the IOD values of these two indexes of acupuncture group were significantly lower than those of model group(P<0.01);no significant differences were found among normal,sham-operation and acupuncture groups,and between non-acupoint and model groups in the IOD values(P>0.05),suggesting that acupuncture could significantly down-regulate the elevated expression of hippocampal nNOS mRNA and nNOS in VD rats,and the effect of acupuncture of the abovementioned acupoints was markedly superior to that of non-acupoints.Conclusion: Acupuncture can markedly inhibit cerebral infarction induced over expression of hippocampal nNOS mRNA and nNOS,which may contribute to its effect in protecting cerebral neurons from injury and improving learning competency in multi-infarct VD rats.
ZOU Xiao-jing, SHI Jing, LIU Jing, LI Ling-li, LIU Xiao-chun
Issue 4, Pages: 203-207(2005)
摘要:Objective: To investigate the underlying neurobiological mechanism of the protective effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on cerebral neurons during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion(CI/R).Methods: Fifteen SD rats were evenly randomized into control,model(CI/R 48 h) and EA groups.CI/R model was established by occlusion of the bilateral carotid arteries and reperfusion.The neuronal apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins of the cerebral cortex in each group were detected by flow cytometer.Additionally,other 75 SD rats were evenly randomized into control,CI/R-3 min,CI/R-3 min+EA,CI/R-48 h and CI/R-48 h+EA groups.NE concentration of cerebral cortex was detected by fluorescence spectrometer.EA(4-16 Hz,1-3 V) was applied to "Shuigou"(GV 26) and "Chengjiang"(RN 24) for 30 min before CI/R.Results: In comparison with control group,the number of neurons in the cerebral cortex in phase sub-G_1 and the apoptotic rate in CI/R-48 h group were significantly higher(P<0.05);while comparison between CI/R-48 h and CI/R-48 h+EA groups showed that both the number of neurons in phase sub-G_1 and the apoptotic rate of the later group were significantly lower than those of CI/R-48 h group(P
摘要:Objective: To study the correlation of deprivation effect of acupuncture against amblyopia and brain derived neurotrophic factor for revealing its relative mechanism.Methods: Eighteen young cats(4 weeks old) were averagely randomized into normal control,model and acupuncture groups.Amblyopia model was established by suturing unilateral eyelids.One day after operation,for rats of acupuncture group,"Jingming"(BL 1),"Chengqi"(ST 1),"Qiuhou"(EX-HN 7),and "Cuanzhu"(BL 2) were punctured,once daily,16 weeks altogether.At the end of experiments,the cats were killed for taking tissues of visual cortical Area 17,lateral geniculate body and retina.These tissues were then embedded with Epon812 epoxy resin and cut into sections and stained with immunohistochemical technique.Ultrastructural changes of the neurons were observed with transmission electronic microscope and the integral optical density(IOD) values,numerical density(ND) of immuno-reaction positive cells were detected.Results: Marked retrograde degeneration of visual cortical neurons(irregular shape of the nuclear membrane,shrinkage and vacuolar degeneration of mitochondria,derangement of mitochondrial crista,irregularity of synaptic vesicles,enlargement of synaptic gaps,etc) was found in model group,while that in acupuncture group lightened at different degrees. In comparison with normal control group,the values of ND and IOD of brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in visual cortex,lateral geniculate body and retinal ganglion cells were obviously lowered,while those values of ND and IOD of acupuncture group were significantly higher than those of model group(P<0.01);no significant differences were found between normal control and acupuncture groups in these two indexes.It indicated that acupuncture could inhibit unilateral eyelid suture induced neuronal retrograde degeneration of the visual cortex and down-regulation of BDNF expression in amblyopia cats.Conclusion: Acupuncture can prevent visual deprivation induced ultrastructural injury of the visual cortical neurons,which may be partially related to upregulation of BDNF expression.
摘要:Objective: To observe changes of mitochondrial membrane potential and neuronal apoptosis and the effect of moxibustion on them in aged rats.Methods: According to the age(months),45 Wistar rats were evenly divided into young(2-3 m) group,aged(15 m) group and moxibustion(rats with age of 15 m) group.Moxibustion was applied to "Baihui"(GV 20) and "Shenshu"(BL 23) for 8 min every acupoint,once daily,40 sessions altogether.After the treatment,the rats were killed rapidly by decapitation for collecting hippocampus tissue and processing into homogenate and cell suspension(107 cells/mL).The cell suspension(100 μL/tube) was added separately with proidium iodide and rhodamine-123(dyes),followed by detecting the number of apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potentials with a flow cytometer.Results: The apoptosis rates of young rat group,aged rat group and moxibustion group were 5.77±0.08,24.17±5.84,and 9.42±1.76 separately, while their percents of membrane potentials were 15.71±2.56,37.99±6.17 and 20.11±3.92 respectively.The values of these two indexes of aged rat group were significantly higher than those of young rat group and moxibustion group(P<0.01),while no significant differences were found between moxibustion group and young rat group in these two indexes(P>0.05),showing that moxibustion could significantly lower hippocampal apoptosis and membrane potentials.Conclusion: Moxibustion can check changes of mitochondrial membrane potentials and reduce the number of neuronal apoptosis of hippocampus,that may be responsible for the efficacy of moxibustion in delaying aging.
SHI Yin, WU Huan-gan, WANG Chong-miao, SHI Zheng, HUA Xue-gui, LIU Hui-rong
Issue 4, Pages: 215-218(2005)
摘要:Objective: To study the mechanism of electroacupuncture(EA) combined with medicine in adjusting the expression of mucosal IFN-γ and IL-12 in ulcerative colitis rats.Methods: Fifty SD rats were averagely randomized into normal control,model,EA,medication and EA+medication groups.Ulcerative colitis model was established by using immunity(intramuscular injection of tissue antigen of the ulcerative colitis patient's colonic mucous and Freund adjuvant) plus local stimulation(enema of 3% formalin) methods.For rats of EA and EA+medication groups,EA(2 Hz,4 mA,continuous electric pulses) was applied to bilateral "Zusanli"(ST 36) for 20 min,once daily,continuously for 10 days.For rats of medication and EA+medication groups,Salicylazosulfapyridine(SASP) solution(3 mL) was given by intra-gastric perfusion,twice daily,continuously for 10 days.At the end of experiments,the rats were killed for sampling colonic tissues.The tissue was embedded with paraffin and stained with HE and immunohistochemical techniques separately for observing morphological changes of the colonic mucous membrane and expression of IFN-γ and IL-12.Results: Compared with normal group,the immuno-reactive positive cells of IFNγ and IL-12 increased significantly in model group.In comparison with model group,the expression of IFN-γ and IL-12 in EA,medication and EA+medication groups were significantly lower(P<0.05,0.01),indicating that EA,medication and EA plus medication all could suppress the expression of IFN-γ and IL-12 in the colonic mucous membrane.No significant differences were found among EA and medication and EA+medication groups in these two indexes(P>0.05),but the values of IFN-γ and IL-12 in EA+medication group were closer to those of normal control group.In model group,tissue lesion such as large area of erosion,ulceration,congestion/ hemorrhage,edema,inflammatory cell infiltration,partial colonic mucous necrosis,etc was seen,while in EA,medication and EA+medication groups,these changes were lighter.Conclusion: Acupuncture combined with medicine therapy can effectively suppress experimental ulcerative colitis induced abnormal expression of IFN-γ and IL-12,which may contribute to its effect in relieving ulcerative colitis.
摘要:Objective: To probe into the expression of connexin(Cx)43 in rat's "Zusanli"(ST 36) and its possible relationship with acupoint and meridian Methods: Twenty SD rats were evenly randomized into control(non-acupoint) group and electroacupuncture(EA) group.Right "Zusanli"(ST 36) and non-acupoint(0.5 mm lateral to ST 36) were punctured and stimulated electrically with dense-sparse pulses,frequency of 4 Hz,strength of 1-3 V and duration of 30 min.At the end of experiments,the rats were anesthetized with 1% pentobarbital and perfused transcardially with 4% paraformaldehyde.Then,the skin and muscle tissues(3 mm × 6 mm × 5 mm) of ST 36 and non-acupoint regions on the EA and non-EA sides were taken to be cut into sections and stained with propidium iodide(PI) and FTTC(fluorescein isothiocyanate) conjugated antibody respectively.Laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) was used to detect Cx43 expression quantity.Results: Cx43 expression was found mainly in rat's skin epithelia and mast cells of the subcutaneous fascia layer.In control group the expression of Cx43 in acupoint area was distinctly higher than that in non-acupoint area(P<0.01).In EA group,the expression of Cx43 in acupoint area increased obviously in comparison with that in the acupoint area on the non-EA side and in non-acupoint area on the EA side(P<0.01).No significant differences were found among non-acupoints of control group,and non-acupoint on EA and non-EA sides(P>0.05).Conclusion: EA can effectively raise Cx43 expression in the skin and muscles in the acupoint area,suggesting that connexin and gap junction in the acupoint area possibly play an important role in the functional activities of meridian.
摘要:Objective: To observe the anti-inflammatory effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at "Quchi"(LI 11) and its influence on cyclooxygenase(COX) expression in carrageenan-induced inflammation rats,so as to study the mechanism of EA in resisting acute inflammation.Methods: Fifty Wistar rats were evenly randomized into control,model,EA,Indomethacin and Rofecoxib groups.Inflammation model was established by subcutaneous injection of 0.1 mL of 2% carrageenan into the right hind paw.The control degree of paw edema(Paw volume 1 h after injection of carrageenan-paw volume 3 h/4 h after injection of carrageenan) was calculated.Concentration of serum PGE_2 was measured by radioimmunoassay.Expression of COX protein in local inflammatory tissues and spleen were detected by Western blotting method.EA(5 mA,15 Hz,continuous waves) was applied to "Quchi"(LI 11) on the affected side for 30 min.Rats of Indomethacin and Rofecoxib groups were fed with Indomethacin and Rofecoxib(3 mg/kg) respectively.Results:Compared with model group,the control rates of paw edema in EA,Indomethacin and Rofecoxib groups 3 h after injection of carrageenan,and in EA and Rofecoxib groups 4 h after injection of carrageenan were significantly higher(P<0.05),showing an apparent inhibitory effect of EA on carrageenan-induced paw edema,especially at the 3(rd) hour after administration.Compared with control group,serum PGE_2 content of model group increased significantly(P<0.05);while in comparison with model group,PGE_2 contents of EA and Indomethacin groups decreased significantly(P<0.05).No significant differences were found among EA,Indomethacin and Rofecoxib groups in the control rates of paw edema and in serum PGE_2 levels(P>0.05).Under normal condition,no expression of COX-2 in the spleen tissue of control animals was found,while in the present study,COX-2 expression in the local inflammatory tissues and spleen was significantly upregulated in model group;but EA had no effects on the expression of both COX-1 and COX-2. Conclusion: EA has an anti-inflammatory effect on carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats and resists the development of inflammation by reducing the concentration of serum PGE_2;but EA stimulation has no influence on the expression of both COX-1 and COX-2.
CAO Fu-yuan, YAO Kai-hui, YIN Guang-fu, LIN Chuan-you, HU Dao-song, RU Li-qiang
Issue 4, Pages: 230-233(2005)
摘要:Objective:To observe changes of nitric oxide synthase(NOS) activity and neuropathic pain responses and the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) of "Huantiao"(GB 30)-"Yanglingquan"(GB 34) on NOS activity in rats with chronic constriction injury(CCI) of sciatic nerve.Methods:Seventy-two SD rats were evenly randomized into control,model and EA groups.CCI model was established by wrapping the sciatic nerve(4-5 mm proximal to the furcated site) with a thin polyethylene cannula((2-3) mm long) according to Mosconi's method.Electroacupuncture(4-16 Hz,1-3 V,intermittent dense-sparse waves) was given to "Huantiao"(GB 30) and "Yanglingquan"(GB 34) for 30 min,once every other day and beginning from the 2(nd) day on after operation.The pain threshold(hind-paw withdrawal latency) was measured by giving plantar radiation thermal stimulation at different time(2 d,4 d,7 d,14 d,28 d after establishing model).NOS activity of tissues of the lumbar spinal cord was detected by using histochemical method(NADPH-d).Results:Compared with pre-operation,the paw withdrawal latency(PWL) reduced significantly in all the 3 groups(P<0.05,0.01) after operation and recovered 7 days and 14 days later in control and EA groups respectively.The PWL values of model group were significantly shorter than those of control group from the 2(nd) day on after operation.The pain threshold(hind-paw withdrawal latency) was measured by giving plantar radiation thermal stimulation at different time(2 d,4 d,7 d,14 d,28 d after establishing model).NOS activity of tissues of the lumbar spinal cord was detected by using histochemical method(NADPH-d).Results:Compared with pre-operation,the paw withdrawal latency(PWL) reduced significantly in all the 3 groups(P<0.05,0.01) after operation and recovered 7 days and 14 days later in control and EA groups respectively.The PWL values of model group were significantly shorter than those of control group from the 2(nd) day to the 28(nd) day to the 28(th) day after operation(P<0.05,0.01).Compared with model group,PWL values of EA group from the 4(th) day after operation(P<0.05,0.01).Compared with model group,PWL values of EA group from the 4(th) day to 28(th) day to 28(th) day after operation were significantly higher(P<0.05,0.01),suggesting that EA could evidently raise pain threshold to relieve pain.The optical density(OD) values of NOS of the spinal dorsal horn in model group were significantly lower than those in control group from the 4(th) day after operation were significantly higher(P<0.05,0.01),suggesting that EA could evidently raise pain threshold to relieve pain.The optical density(OD) values of NOS of the spinal dorsal horn in model group were significantly lower than those in control group from the 4(th) day to 28(th) day to 28(th) day after operation(P<0.05,0.01).Compared with model group,OD values of NOS in EA group were significantly higher from the 4(th) day after operation(P<0.05,0.01).Compared with model group,OD values of NOS in EA group were significantly higher from the 4(th) day to 28(th) day to 28(th) day after operation(P<0.05,0.01),suggesting that EA could raise NOS activity in CCI rats.Conclusion:EA of "Huantiao"(GB 30) and "Yanglingquan"(GB 34) can effectively inhibit chronic neuropathic pain and upregulate the expression of NOS in the spinal dorsal horn of CCI rats.
CHANG Xiao-rong, YAN Jie, HE Jun-feng, LI Jiang-shan, LIU Jian-hua, WANG Chao
Issue 4, Pages: 234-237(2005)
摘要:Objective: To compare the difference of effects of acupuncture(Acu) at different acupoints and non-acupoint on the electrical activities of neurons in rat nucleus tractus solitarii(NTS).Methods: A total of 52 Wistar rats anesthetized by 10% urethane(1 mL /100 mg) were used in the present study.Extracellular discharges of NTS neurons were recorded by using glass micropipettes(about 1 μm in diameter,10-30 MΩ) and microelectrode amplifier,and analyzed by Power-Lab Data Acquisition-analysis System."Sibai"(ST 2),"Dicang"(ST 4),"Neiting"(ST 44),"Quanliao"(SI 18) and non-acupoint(0.5 cm superior-lateral to ST 2) were punctured respectively and manipulated with hand.Results: After acupuncture stimulation,of the 86 NTS neurons recorded,the number of the excitatory,inhibitory and no-reaction neurons were 37,19 and 30 respectively for "Sibai"(ST 2);22,21 and 43 for "Dicang"(ST 4);19,21 and 46 for "Neiting"(ST 44);20,10 and 56 for "Quanliao"(SI 18);and 20,7 and 59 for non-acupoint,with the reaction rates being 65.12%,50.00%,46.51%,34.88%,and 31.40% separately.The rate of reaction neurons of acupuncture of ST 2 was significantly higher than those of acupuncture of the other acupoints(ST 4,ST 44,SI 18) and non-acupoint(P<0.05,0.01),and those of acupuncture of ST 4 and ST 44 were significantly higher than those of SI 18 and non-acupoint(P<0.05).No significant differences were found between acupuncture of ST 4 and ST 44,and between SI 18 and non-acupoint(P>0.05).The increased rates of the excited NTS neurons of acupuncture of ST 2 and other acupoints and non-acupoint were similar to the changes of the reaction rates mentioned above(P<0.05,0.01),displaying that the effect of the afferent information of acupuncture of ST 2 on the electrical activity of NTS neurons was markedly stronger than that of acupuncture of the other acupoints and non-acupoint.Conclusion: Compared with acupoint of the Small Intestine(SI) Meridian and non-acupoint,acupoints of the Stomach(ST) Meridian,particularly ST 2,have a more intimate relation to NTS neurons,and there exists specificity among different acupoints.
摘要:Objective: To investigate the functional carrelation between cardiogenic referred pain and Heart Meridian of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Methods: Eighteen SD rats anesthetized with 10% urethane(1 g/kg) were used in this study.For observing somato-sympathetic reflex activity,the cardiac sympathetic nerve(CSN) was isolated and its electrical activities were recorded by using a bipolar platinum electrode;and bipolar stimulating electrodes were separately inserted into "Qingling" (HT 2),"Shaohai"(HT 3) of the Heart Meridian,and "Xiabai"(LU 4) and "Chize" (LU 5) of the Lung Meridian on the forearm.For observing sympathosomatic reflex,the recording electrode hooking CSN was used as the stimulating electrode,and reflex myoelectric activity of "Qingling"(HT 2),"Shaohai"(HT 3),"Xiabai"(LU 4) and "Chize"(LU 5) were recorded respectively by using a pair of stainless steel electrodes.Results: The excitement threshold of CSN activity upon electrical stimulation of HT 2 and HT 3 on the left side was significantly lower than that of stimulation of LU 4 and LU 5 on the same side(P<0.05);correspondingly,the CSN firing rates responding to electrical stimulation(4 mA) of HT 2 and HT 3 were significantly higher than those responding to electrical stimulation(4 mA) of LU 4 and LU 5 on the same side.It indicated that the response sensitivity of CSN to stimulation of the Heart Meridian was evidently stronger than that of electrical stimulation of the Lung Meridian.Following electrical stimulation(2-6 mA) of CSN,the reflex muscular electric activity of HT 2 and HT 3 was also stronger than that of electrical stimulation(same one strength) of LU 4 and LU 5 on the same side(P<0.01).Furthermore,the response threshold of myoelectrical activity of HT 2 and HT 3 upon electrical stimulation of CSN was significantly lower than that of LU 4 and LU 5(P<0.01).Conclusion: These findings showed that acupoints of the Heart Meridian have a closer correlation with CSN on the same side compared with those of Lung Meridian,which may be one of the causes that acupoints of the Heart Meridian are often used to treat cardiac disorders in clinical practice and cardiogenic referred pain often appears in the running course of Heart Meridian on the forearm.
摘要:Objective: To investigate the underlying mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of simple obesity patients.Methods: A total of 40 simple obesity outpatients (acupuncture group) and 40 normal subjects(control group) were observed in this study.For obesity patients,Liangqiu(ST 34),Fenglong(ST 40),Tianshu(ST 25),Jimen(SP 11),etc.were selected according to spleen deficiency,stomach heat and phlegm accumulation syndromes,and punctured once daily in the first week and once every other day afterwards,one month altogether.Before and after treatment,the patients' and normal subjects' height and body weight were detected for calculating body mass index(BMI);and fasting venous blood samples were collected for assaying tumour necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),resistin,fasting glucose(FBG),and fasting insulin(FINS) levels in simple obesity subjects.In addition,homeostasis model assessment(HOMA) was used to compute insulin resistance(IR) index.Results: Compared with control group,BMI,serum FINS,FBG,TNFα and resistin contents,and HOMA-IR values of acupuncture group were significantly higher(P<0.05,0.01).Comparison between pre-and post-treatment showed that after acupuncture treatment,serum BMI,FINS,resistin and TNF-α contents and HOMA-IR decreased considerably(P<0.05,0.01),denoting that acupuncture could effectively lower obesity induced abnormal increase of the aforementioned indexes.There was a positive correlation between the difference of HOMA-IR and that of BMI,FINS,TNF-α and resistin between pre-and post-treatment.Conclusion: Acupuncture can improve metabolism of sugar and lipid,relieve insulin resistance through lowering concentrations of blood TNF-α and resistin levels and is thus an effective remedy for simple obesity.
CUI Cheng-bin, WANG Jing-jing, WEI Zheng-xiu, LI Xin, WU Zhong-chao
Issue 4, Pages: 249-252(2005)
摘要:In the present paper,the authors review recent development of clinical application of acupuncture therapy in relieving gastroscopy-induced side reactions and recent situations of researches on the mechanisms of acupuncture in regulating gastrointestinal activities.The "clinical application part" contains 1) selection of acupoints as meridian-points,extra-points,holo-points and otopoints,2) common methods as digital pressure of acupoints,body acupuncture,acupoint-injection,auricular acupuncture and cupping,3) relieving cardiac sideeffects,and 4) raising the rate of correct diagnosis;while the related studies on the mechanism of acupuncture include 1) effect on gastric mechanical motility, 2) effect on gastric electrical activity,3) regulation on gastric acid and gastrointestinal hormone levels,4) protective effect on the gastric mucosa,and 5) specificity of effects of acupoints.At present,direct study on the underlying mechanism of acupuncture therapy in relieving side-effects of gastroscopy have been seldom seen and its clinical application lacks united standards for selection of acupoints,needling methods,evaluation of the therapeutic effect,etc.Nevertheless,acupuncture therapy has a positive effect in reducing gastroscopyinduced side effects and should be spread in the clinical practice.