Objective: To investigate the effects of acupoint injection of Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis)injectio and Huangqi (Radix Astragali seu Hedysari) injectio on blood flow of the gastric mucosa in chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) rats. Methods:SD rat CAG model was made by feeding the rats with different concentrations of N methyl N' nitro N nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) continuously for 10 weeks. 60 CAG rats were randomly assigned to model group Ⅰ (40 μg/ mL MNNG

n =15) and model group Ⅱ ( 60 μg/mL MNNG

n =15)

acupoint injection group Ⅰ ( 40 μg/mL MNNG

n =15 ) and acupoint injection group Ⅱ ( 60 μg/mL MNNG

n =15). In addition

other 10 normal rats were used as control group. In these 2 acupoint injection groups

the mixture solution of Huangqi and Danggui injection (0.1 mL) was injected into unilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36)

once every other day

continuously for 20 weeks. Pathological changes of gastric mucosal tissues (the tissue sections were stained with HE method) were examined and gastric mucosal blood flow was then determined. Results: Along with the increase of the concentration of the administered MNNG

the degrees of gastric mucosal injury (shallow and deep erosion

ulcer)were increased significantly( P < 0.05 )and the gastric mucosal blood flow in the anterior region

the body part and the antral region of the stomach decreased remarkably in comparison with normal control group( P < 0.01)

which presented a negative correlation between the mucosal injury and the blood flow( P < 0.05); pathologic changes of mucosal injury index

atrophy

intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia of the gastric mucosa increased significantly( P < 0.05). In acupoint injection groups

the degrees of the above mentioned gastric mucosal injury were remarkably improved( P < 0.01) and the gastric mucosal blood flow volume was significantly increased in comparison with the corresponding same MNNG concentration model groups( P < 0.05). Conclusion: The decrease of gastric mucosal blood flow plays a key role in pathogenesis of gastric mucosal injury

atrophic and gastric precancerous changes. Acupoint injection therapy may prevent and treat CAG by improving gastric mucosal blood flow supply and promoting repair of the injured gastric tissue.