Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on pain threshold

paw swelling and serum T-lymphocyte subsets in adjuvant-induced arthritis(AA) rats so as to study the mechanism of EA in cellular immunity.Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into control

model and EA groups using random number table method

with 10 rats in each group.AA model was established by injection of complete Freund adjuvant(0.1%

(0.1 mL)) into the subcutaneous tissue of the right hindpaw.EA((4/60 Hz)

dense-sparse pulses

(1 mA)) was applied to bilateral Jiaji(EX-B 2) points of L_3 and L_5 for 30 minutes

once daily

continuously for 7 days.The pain threshold(latency of paw withdrawal induced by radiant heat irradiation)

paw swelling rate [(paw volume of post-injection of CFA-that of pre-injection)/that of pre-injection ×100%] and serum T-lymphocyte subsets(CD_4

+

and CD_8+ and CD_8

+

) were detected respectively.Results: Compared with normal control group

the paw volume(PV) and paw swelling rates of model group and EA group increased significantly while the paw withdrawal latencies on the focus side shortened markedly one day after injection of CFA(P

<

0.01).On the 7+) were detected respectively.Results: Compared with normal control group

the paw volume(PV) and paw swelling rates of model group and EA group increased significantly while the paw withdrawal latencies on the focus side shortened markedly one day after injection of CFA(P

<

0.01).On the 7

(th)

day

PV and paw swelling rate of model group were still significantly higher than those of control group(P

<

0.01);while in comparison with model group

both PV and paw swelling rate decreased considerably(P

<

0.05) and the paw withdrawal latency increased markedly in EA group(P

<

0.05).It indicated that EA could effectively relieve pain and swelling of the focal hindpaw.In comparison with control group

the percentages of CD_4(th) day

PV and paw swelling rate of model group were still significantly higher than those of control group(P

<

0.01);while in comparison with model group

both PV and paw swelling rate decreased considerably(P

<

0.05) and the paw withdrawal latency increased markedly in EA group(P

<

0.05).It indicated that EA could effectively relieve pain and swelling of the focal hindpaw.In comparison with control group

the percentages of CD_4

+

and CD_8+ and CD_8

+

of model group decreased apparently(P

<

0.05)

and CD_4+ of model group decreased apparently(P

<

0.05)

and CD_4

+

/CD_8+/CD_8

+

increased significantly(P

<

0.05).Comparison between model and EA groups showed that the percentage of CD_8+ increased significantly(P

<

0.05).Comparison between model and EA groups showed that the percentage of CD_8

+

increased evidently(P

<

0.01) and the ratio of CD_4+ increased evidently(P

<

0.01) and the ratio of CD_4

+

to CD_8+ to CD_8

+

decreased significantly in EA group(P

<

0.05).Conclusion: EA of Jiaji(EX-B 2) has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects

which maybe related to EA induced favorable regulation on T-lymphocyte subsets in AA rats.