Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on the levels of lymphocyte proliferation rate

spleen and serum interleukin-2(IL-2)

serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)

so as to analyze its immuno-regulative function in adjuvant arthritis(AA) rats.Methods A total of 40 Wistar rats were randomized into normal control

model

Dazhui(GV 14)

Mingmen(GV 4) and non-acupoint groups.Adjuvant arthritis model was established by subcutaneous injection of Freund's complete adjuvant into the paw.EA was applied to"Dazhui"(GV 14)

"Mingmen"(GV 4) and non-acupoint(mid-tail) for 20 min

once every other day

8 times altogether.Paw volume(swelling degree of the voix pedis) was detected;T and B lymphocyte transformation rates(LTR)

and IL-2 activity of the spleen tissue were assayed with MTT chromatometry

and serum IL-2 and TNF-αcontents were determined by radioimmunoassay.Results Compared to normal group

the paw volume and serum TNF-αcontent of model group increased significantly(P<0.01

P<0.05)

and T- and B-lymphocyte proliferation rates and spleen IL-2 activity in model group decreased considerably(P<0.01).In comparison with model group

paw volumes of GV 14

GV4

and non-acupoint groups and serum TNF-αcontent of GV 14 group lowered significantly(P<0.01

P<0.05);while T- and B-lymphocyte proliferation rates

spleen IL-2 activity in GV 14

GV 4

and non-acupoint groups

as well as serum IL-2 content in GV 14 and GV 4 groups increased remarkably(P<0.01).Paw volumes of both GV 14 and GV 4 groups were significantly lower than that of non-acupoint group(P<0.05);T- and B-lymphocyte proliferation rates and IL-2 activity of GV 4 group were significantly higher than those of non-acupoint group(P<0.05).No significant differences were found between GV 14 and GV 4 groups in paw volume

T- and B-lymphocyte proliferation rates

spleen IL-2 activity

serum IL-2 and TNF-αcontents

and between GV 14 and nonacupoint groups in T- and B-lymphocyte proliferation rates

as well as among GV 14

GV 4 and non-acupoint groups in serum IL-2 and TNF-αcontents(P>0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture of GV 14 and GV 4 induced immunoregulation on lymphocyte

IL-2 and TNF-αmay contribute to its anti-inflammation effect in AA rats.