Objective To observe the effect of intranasal acupuncture on allergic rhinitis(AR)

and expression of substance P(SP)

vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP) and neuropeptide Y(NPY) proteins in the nasal mucosa and contents of serum immunoglobulin E(IgE)

interleukin 4(IL-4) and interferon-γ(IFN-γ) in AR rabbits

so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of AR.Methods New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal control

AR model

non-acupuoint acupuncture(NAA) and intranasal acupuncture(INA) groups

with 8 rabbits in each group. The AR model was established by intra-peritoneal injection of egg protein and nasal mucosal stimulation. In the INA group

bilateral "Neiyingxiang"(EX-HN9) within the nasal cavity(the anterior attachment area of the inferior turbinate

about 1 cm away from the nasal limen) were acupunctured by mani-pulating the filiform needles for a while with uniform reinforcing and reducing methods

followed by keeping the needles for 20 min. In the NAA group

shallow acupuncture was applied to the skin of the outer margin of the cheeks

followed by keeping the needle for 20 min. The acupuncture treatment was conducted once every other day for 7 days. The symptoms of sneezing frequency

nasal secretion amount and nasal itching were scored. The expression levels of SP

VIP and NPY in the nasal mucosa tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry

and the serum IgE

IL-4

and IFN-γ contents were detected by ELISA.Results After modelling

the symptom score

expression of SP and VIP

and serum IgE and IL-4 contents were significantly higher(P<0.01

P<0.05)

NPY expression and serum IFN-γ content significantly lower(P<0.05

P<0.01) in the model group than in the normal control group. Following the intervention

the symptom scores

expressions of SP and VIP

and serum IgE and IL-4 contents were remarkably decreased(P<0.05

P<0.01)

while the NPY expression and serum IFN-γ content were significantly up-regulated(P<0.05

P<0.01) in the INA group than in the model group. The effects of INA group were significantly superior to those of NAA group in reducing symptom score

SP and VIP expression

and serum IgE and IL-4 contents and up-regulating NPY expression and IFN-γcontent(P<0.05

P<0.01). There were a positive correlation between the expressions of SP and VIP and contents of serum IgE and IL-4(P<0.05)

and a negative correlation between the expressions of SP and VIP and IFN-γ content(P<0.05).Conclusion INA treatment can relieve symptoms of AR in AR rabbits

which may be associated with its effects in regulating the expression of SP

VIP and NPY of the nasal mucosa

and contents of serum IgE

IL-4 and IFN-γ to improve neurogenic inflammation.