The changes of salivary amylase and lysozyme activity were investigated in 105 patients duringoperation under acupuncture anesthesia(38 cases of total hysterectomy and 67 of subtotal gastre-ctomy).The results showed that in hysterectomy patients

the total amylase in cases with excellentacupuncture anesthetic effect increased by 25%

with good effect by 40%

with poor effect by 78%.In patients undergoing subtotal gastrectomy a similar response of amylase activity was observed

but ina more marked degree.As for the salivary lysozyme content

it was observed to increase significantly 24 hours after theoperation.Accordingly

it is suggested that acupuncture may regulate the activity of parasympathetic nervoussystem to a new equilibrium level

which plays an important role in preventing a painful response totraction of the stomach and during gastro-intestinal anastomosis.The increase of lysozyme after ope-ration indicates that the body anti-inflammatory factors might be potentiated by acupuncture.Department of Biochemistry.