Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on levels of T-lymphocytes

spleen index

thymus index and lymphopoiesis in strenuous exercise-induced immunosuppression rats

so as to study its mechanisms underlying improving immune function of strenuous training athletes.Methods A total of 43 SD rats were randomly allocated to control(n=10)

model(n=17) and EA(n=16) groups.Immunosuppression model was established by forcing the rat to swim for 150 min in a water tank

once daily

6 times a week and for 8 weeks.EA(2 Hz

<1 mA) was applied to bilateral "Zusanli"(ST 36)

"Baihui"(GV 20) and "Guanyuan"(CV 4) for 20 min

once daily for 7 weeks.Spleen weight and thymus weight were detected after killing the anesthetized rats for calculating spleen index and thymus index

separately.Peripheral blood T cell subsets were mea-sured by using flow cytometer

and lymphopoiesis was detected by using 3H-thymidine deoxyribonucleotide(3H-TdR) incorporation.Results In comparison with the control group

spleen index

thymus index

lymphopoiesis and CD3+ levels of the model group were decreased significantly(P<0.01

P<0.05).Compared with the model group

peripheral blood CD3+

CD4+ and NKC levels

and thymus and spleen indexes were increased considerably in EA group(P<0.01

P<0.05).No signi-ficant differences were found between the control and model groups in CD4+

CD8+and CD4+/CD8+and NKC levels

and between the model and EA groups in CD8+and CD4+/CD8+ levels(P>0.05).Conclusion EA intervention can effectively upregulate peripheral blood CD3+

CD4+and NKC

and thymus and spleen indexes in strenuous training rats

which may contribute to its effect in relieving strenuous exercise-induced immunosuppression.