Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture on colonic stem cell factor(SCF)-receptor tyrosine kinase(Kit

a transmembrane protein c-kit) system in colocolic anastomosis rats so as to explore its underlying mechanism in regulating intestinal motility after enteroenterostomy.Methods Thirty SD rats were randomized into control

model(colocolic anastomosis) and acupuncture groups(n=10/group).Acupuncture was applied to bilateral "Zusanli"(ST 36)

"Sanyinjiao"(SP 6) and "Taichong"(LR 3)

once a day for 3 days.The fecal-excretion time and the propulsive rate of the small intestine were measured.The immunoactivity of c-kit immunoreaction positive products in the colon tissue 2 cm below the caecum was detected using immunohistochemistry and the expression of SCF mRNA detected using real time-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) method.Results Following colocolic anastomosis

the intestinal propulsive rate in the model group was decreased considerably in comparison with the control group(P<0.01).Compared with the model group

the first fecal-excretion time and the intestinal propulsive rate were improved significantly in the acupuncture group(P<0.05).In comparison with the control group

the immunoacti-vity of c-kit and the expression of SCF mRNA in colon tissue were down-regulated obviously in the model group(P<0.05

P<0.01)

while in comparison with the model group

the expression levels of c-kit and SCF mRNA were increased in the acupuncture group significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture can suppress enteroenterostomy-induced down-regulation of the expression of c-kit protein and SCF mRNA in colocolic anastomosis rats

which may contribute to its effect in regulating the intestinal motility after enteroenterostomy.