Objective: To study the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on alergic shock in guinea pigs. Methods: Experiments were performed on 60 anaphylactic shock model guinea pigs (anesthetized by intra peritoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium 30 mg/kg) who were randomly divided into 60 ～70 Hz plus 1 V (n=7)

30 ～ 40 Hz plus 3 V (n=7) and 30～40 Hz plus 1 V (n=7) groups. The 3 groups were further divided into EA of Neiguan (PC 6) and Non acupoint subgroups. Alergic shock was produced by intra peritoneal and intravenous injection of ovokeratin 10 μg/kg and 0.26～0.28 μg/kg respectively in different days. Mean blood pressure (MAP) was determined via right carotid catheter. Bilateral “Neiguan” (PC 6) were stimulated with frequency 60～70 Hz

30～40 Hz

voltage 1 V and 3 V and stimulating duration of 30 min. The contents of oxytocin(OT) in hypothalamus

anteropituitary and postpituitary tissues were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: The results suggested that EA at “Neiguan” point could produce a significant and rapid effect of antianaphylactic shock in comparison with non acupoint group. Under the same frequency

the pressor effect of EA at “Neiguan” point at higher stimulating intensity was significantly better than that of low intensity. Similarly

under the same intensity

the effect of higher frequency was considerably better than that of low frequency in anti anaphylactic action. After EA stimulation at frequency of 30～40 Hz plus voltage of 3 V and 60～70 Hz plus 1 V

OT contents decreased significantly in the hypothalamus and posteropituitay or increased considerably in anteropituitary tissue in comparison with antianaphylactic shock model group (n=7

P< 0.01

0.05); while after EA at frequency 30～40 Hz plus voltage 1 V

OT contents had slight increase in hypothalamus and postpituitary or slight increase in anteropituitary but without statistical difference in comparison with shock model group. When EA at a fixed frequency (30～40 Hz) or at a fixed stimulating strength (1 V)

OT values of voltage 3 V (n=7) and 60～70 Hz groups increased significantly in anteropituitary or decreased significantly in hypothalamus in comparison with voltage of 1 V or 30～40 Hz groups separately (P<0.05). It indicates that the effect of antianaphylactic shock of EA at “Neiguan” point may be mediated by OT. OT seems to be involved in the pressor response by inducing the release of ACTH from anteropituitary under higher intensity EA; while OT released from hypothalamus might be responsible for the pressor response under higher frequency EA.Conclusion: EA possesses a good pressor action in alergic shock guinea pigs

which may be mediated by OT in the hypothalamus.