自提出经络现象与肥大细胞有关以来

不少学者观察到

电针刺激能引起穴位局部结缔组织中肥大细胞的脱粒反应。而肥大细胞在机体内分布极广

数量极多

并能产生多种生物活性物质。据报导

针刺“足三里”

循足阳明胃经能引起胃肠道蠕动的变化。设想电针刺激“足三里”对分布于胃肠系统腹膜腔的肥大细胞产生形态结构的影响。材料与方法实验选用体重200～300克的雄性大白鼠。实验分三组:甲组:电针刺激后肢“足It has been proved that electro-needling of acupoints might lead to the degranulation of mast cells in connective tissue. The morphological changes in rat's peritoneal mast cells under electro-acupuncture at point "Zusanli" were observed in this experiment. This experimental study were carried out on 3 groups: Group A

electro-acupuncture at point "Zusanli"; Group B

electro- acupuncture at point "Neiguan"; and Group C

no electro-acupuncture

as controls. The result of this experiment was as follows: 1. Light microscope observation: The peritoneal mast cells with degranulation in group A occurred 70.07 ±2.73 per cent; in group B 54.93±2.81 per cent; in group C 35.6±2.68 per cent. Marked difference among three groups was found. It seems that point "Zusanli" might possess relative specificity. 2. Electro-microscope observation: The degranulation process shown by transmission electro-microscope occurs by the well known pathway of exocytosis. Simultaneously the alte- ration of granular structure and the obviousness of rough surfaced endopla- smic reticulum can be observed. Mast cells synthesize a number of mediators

mainly histamine

hepa- rin

and serotonin (5-HT) etc. The release of these substances is accompa- nied by the extrusion of cellular granules. We postulate that this regula- ting mechanism of acupuncture might be triggered by these substances.