Objective To observe the effect of acupoint catgut embedding on levels of prostaglandin F_(2α)(PGF_(2α))

cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) in the uteruses of rats with primary dysmenorrhea(PD)

so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of PD. Methods Forty female SD rats were randomly divided into normal

model

acupoint catgut embedment and medication groups

with 10 rats in each group. The PD model was established by subcutaneous injection of estradiol benzoate(0.5 mg on the 1

(st)

day

and 0.2 mg thereafter) once daily for 10 days

followed by i.p. of oxytocin 2 U(0.5 mg·5 U(st) day

and 0.2 mg thereafter) once daily for 10 days

followed by i.p. of oxytocin 2 U(0.5 mg·5 U

(-1)

·mL(-1)·mL

(-1)

) on the 11(-1)) on the 11

(th)

day. Catgut embedment was applied to "Guanyuan"(CV4) and "Sanyinjiao"(SP6) on day 1 and 5 while modeling

and rats of the medication group received gavage of ibuprofen(1.25 mg/mL

0.8 mL/rat) once daily for 10 d. The level of PGF_(2α)in the uterus tissuewas assayed by ELISA

and the expression levels of uterine COX-2

phospho(p)-NF-κB p65

NF-κB p65 proteins were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with the normal group

the levels of PGF_(2α)

COX-2

p-NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p65 in the uterine tissues were significantly increased in the model group(P

<

0.05). Compared with the model group

the levels of PGF_(2α) and COX-2 in both catgut embedment and medication groups as well as p-NF-κB p65 in the catgut embedment group were significantly decreased(P

<

0.05). Compared with the medication group

the level of p-NF-κB 65 in the catgut embedment group was significantly decreased(P

<

0.05). Conclusion The analgesic effect of acupoint catgut embedding may be related to its effects in down-regulating the expression of p-NF-κB and the levels of COX-2 and PGF_(2α)in uteruses of PD rats.