Objective To compare the different effect of electroacupuncture(EA)at"Zusanli"(ST36)and"Chize"(LU5)of mother rats exposed to Nicotine during pregnancy and lactation on lung function and morphological changes in offspring rats

so as to explore the most effective acupoint for improving the development of lung in neonatal rats.Methods A total of 24 female pregnancy SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal control

model

EA-ST36 and EA-LU5(n=6 rats in each group).Rats of the normal group were treated by subcutaneous injection of normal saline

and those of the other 3 groups treated by subcutaneous injection of nicotine(1 mg·kg

(-1)

·d(-1)·d

(-1)

)beginning from the 6 th day to about the 21 st day of pregnancy(childbirth day)for nicotine exposure during pregnancy and lactation.The daily EA treatment(2 Hz/15 Hz

1 mA)was applied to bilateral ST36 and LU5 for 20 min

beginning from the 6 th day of pregnancy to the 21 st day(childbirth day).The lung function of the offspring rats including the peak inspiratory flow(PIF)

peak expiratory flow(PEF)

lung resistance(RL)

exhalation resistance(RE)and lung dynamic compliance(Cdyn)was detected by using a lung function analysis system.Histopathological changes(severity of alveolarization)of the offspring rats' lung tissue were observed under microscope after H.E.stain.Results Compared with the normal group

the PIF

RL and RE values were significantly increased(P

<

0.01)

and PEF and Cdyn values significantly decreased in the model group(P

<

0.01).The alveolar diameter in the model group was evidently increased relevant to the normal group(P

<

0.01).Following the intervention

modeling induced increase of PIF

RL

RE and alveolar diameter and decrease of PEF and Cdyn values in the EA-ST36 group

and the increased PIF

RL and RE levels in the EA-LU5 group were obviously suppressed relevant to the model group(P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05).Additionally

modeling induced obvious congestion and edema of the alveolar wall

alveolar deformation

rupture and fusion

and reduction of the number of the pulmonary alveoli were evidently milder in both EA-ST36 and EA-LU5 groups.No significant differences were found between the EA-ST36 and EA-LU5 groups in the abovementioned 5 indexes of pulmonary function and alveolar diameter(P

>

0.05).Conclusion EA of ST36 and LU5 of mother rats experiencing nicotine exposure during pregnancy and lactation can improve the lung function and morphological changes in neonatal rats

and the effect of ST36 is relatively better.