Objective To study the interrelation between the therapeutic efficacy of electroacupuncture(EA) and mast cells(MC) in experimental gastric ulcer rats.Methods Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group

model group and EA group

with 10 cases in each.Experimental gastric ulcer model was established by injecting 20% glacial acetic acid(0.05 ml) into the tissue between the muscular layer and the placenta percreta of the gastric anterior wall in the gastric antrum under anesthesia.EA(2/15 Hz

1 mA) was applied to bilateral "Wei"(Stomach

an otopoint) and "Zusanli"(ST 36) for 30 min

once daily for 7 days.The tissues of these two acupoints were sampled to be stained with acetylcholine esterase(AChE) and toluidine blue(TB) respectively(counterstaining) after section(15 μm).The gastric ulcer tissue was stained with H&E method.Results Compared with control group

the number and degranulation ratios of MC in the dermis of "Wei"-point and ST36 region in model group and EA group increased significantly(P<0.01);while in comparison with model group

both the number and the degranulation ratio of MC in EA group decreased considerably(P<0.01).H&E stained tissues showed smooth gastric mucosal membrane in control group

ulcerative injury involving the muscular layer in model group

and mild injury in EA group.Conclusion EA can suppress the degranulation of MC in "Wei"-point and ST36 regions and effectively relieve ulcerative injury in gastric ulcer rats.There exists a certain degree of interrelation among the degranulation ratio of MC

gastric ulcerative injury

and the therapeutic efficacy.