Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) of "Zhongwan"(CV 12)

"Tianshu"(ST 20) and "Shangjuxu"(ST 37)(an acupoint prescription "Changbingfang" for treatment of intestinal disorders) on the expression of colonic nuclear factor κB p65(NF-κB p65) protein expression and serum interleukin-4(IL-4) content in rats

so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of ulcerative colitis(UC).Methods Thirty SD rats were randomly and equally divided into normal control

model and EA groups(10 rats/group).The UC model was made by enema with 8% acetic acid.EA stimulation(6 Hz/30 Hz) was delivered to "Zhongwan"(CV 12)

"Tianshu"(ST 20) and "Shangjuxu"(ST 37) for 15 min separately

0 h

24 h and 48 h post-enema.The blood and colon tissues were taken for detection of serum IL-4 content with ELISA

and for assaying colonic NF-κB p65 protein expression with immunohistochemistry and Western blot

respectively.Results Compared with the normal control group

colonic NF-κB p65 protein expression level shown by immunohistochemistry and Western blot and serum IL-4 content were significantly higher in the model group(P<0.01

P<0.05).After EA stimulation

colonic NF-κB p65 protein expression levels shown by both immunohistochemistry and Western blot were down-regulated significantly(P<0.01

P<0.05) and serum IL-4 content was up-regulated further in comparison with the model group(P<0.01).Conclusion EA of acupoint recipe "Changbingfang" can down-regulate the proinflammatory NF-κB p65 protein expression and up-regulate serum anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 level in rats

which may contribute to its effect in improving ulcerative colitis.