Objective To study the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Zusanli" (ST 36)

"Hegu" (LI 4) and/or "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) on immune functions in gastric carcinoma rats after operation. Methods Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control

ST36

LI4

SP6

ST36+LI4

ST36+SP6

LI4+SP6

ST36+LI4+SP6

non-acupoint (about 10 mm lateral to ST36) and model groups

with 6 cases in each. Gastric carcinoma model was made by intraperitoneal injection of Walker-256 cloned strain (0.1 ml

2×107 cells). EA (2-100 Hz

1-3 mA) was applied to these acupoints for 30 min

once daily for 7 days. Serum IgG

IgM

IgA

C3 and C4 contents were detected with simple immunodiffusion method; and CD4+ and CD8+ levels were measured by flow cytometry. Results In comparison with normal control group

serum IgG

IgM

IgA

C3

C4 and CD8+ contents

and CD4+/CD8+ in model group decreased significantly (P<0.05

0.01); while CD8+ content in model group increased remarkably (P<0.01). Compared with model group

serum IgG

IgM

IgA

C3

C4

CD4+

CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ in non-acupoint group had no significant changes (P>0.05)

while most of these indexes in EA groups (ST36

LI4

SP6

ST36+LI4

ST36+SP6

LI4+SP6

ST36+LI4+SP6) increased considerably (P<0.05

0.01) except CD8+ level (decreased significantly

P<0.05

0.01). No significant differences were found among 7 EA groups (P>0.05)

but the effects of ST36+LI4+SP6 group were slightly better than those of the other 6 EA groups. Conclusion EA of "Zusanli" (ST 36)

"Hegu" (LI 4) or "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) or two of them or these 3 acupoints can obviously enhance the immune function of post-surgery rats with gastric carcinoma.