Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)stimulation of single and multiple acupoints on sleep and concentrations of interlukin-1β(IL-1β)

brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)

prostaglandin D2(PGD2)and melatonin(MLT

sleep-promoting factors)and corticosterone(CORT

awakening-promoting factor)in the serum in insomnia rats

so as to explore its efficacy difference and the mechanism underlying improving sleep.Methods Fifty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into control

model

EA-Baihui(GV 20)

EA-Shenmen(HT 7)

EA-Sanyinjiao(SP 6)and EA-GV 20+HT 7+SP 6 groups(n=9 rats in each group).The insomnia model was established by intraperitoneal injection of para-chlorophenylalanine(PCPA

300 mg/kg)once daily for 2 days.In the EA-GV 20

EA-HT 7

EA-SP 6 and EA-GV 20+HT 7+SP 6 groups

EA stimulation was administrated for 30 min

once a day for 4 days.The sleep onset latency and sleep duration were measured after intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium(35 mg/kg).The concentrations of IL-1β

BDNF

MLT

PGD2 and CORT in the serum were detected by ELISA.Results After EA stimulation of GV 20

HT 7

SP 6 and GV 20+HT 7+SP 6

the sleep latency was significantly shortened(P<0.05

P<0.01

except SP 6)

and the sleep duration was remarkably prolonged in comparison with the model group(P<0.05

P<0.01)

and the therapeutic effects of EA-GV 20+HT 7+SP 6 were significantly superior to those of EA-GV 20

EA-HT 7 and EA-SP 6 in shortening the sleep latency and lengthening the sleep duration(P<0.05).Following modeling

the concentrations of IL-1β

BDNF

PGD2 and MLT were significantly down-regulated

and the CORT level was markedly upregulated in the model group relevant to the control group(P<0.05).Following EA

modeling induced dramatic decrease of serum IL-1β

BDNF

PGD2 and MLT was considerably up-regulated

and the increased CORT level markedly down-regulated in the EA-GV 20

EA-HT 7

EA-SP 6 and EA-GV 20+HT 7+SP 6 groups(P<0.05).The effects of EA-GV 20+HT 7+SP 6 were evidently superior to those of EA-GV 20 and EA-SP 6 in up-regulating serum IL-1β

BDNF and PGD2 levels

and to those of HT 7

GV20 and SP 6 in up-regulating serum MLT level

and significantly superior to those of EA-ST 7 and EA-SP 6 in down-regulating serum CORT(P<0.05).Conclusion EA stimulation of HT 7

GV 20

SP 6 and GV 20+HT 7+ SP 6 can significantly improve the sleep in insomnia rats

which is closely associated with its effects in regulating serum sleep-promoting factors and awakeningpromoting factor.Joint administration of EA of GV 20+HT 7+ SP 6 has a better effect than the single acupoint mentioned above.