Objective To observe the effect of "Sancai Needling"(superficial

medium and deep insertion of the acupuncture needle) combined with electroacupuncture(EA) stimulation of Shenshu(BL 23) on plasma and urine SP and 5-HT levels in renal colic patients

so as to study its mechanism underlying improvement of renal colic.Methods Sixty renal colic patients(lower-energizer stasis type) were randomly allocated to "Sancai Needling"-EA group

Ashi-point-EA group and routine EA treatment group

with 20 cases in each group.The "Sancai Needling"-EA meant that an acupuncture needle was inserted into the subcutaneous layer of BL 23 first and EA stimulation was given for 10 min;then the needle was inserted into the medium layer(muscle layer) and EA stimulation performed for 10 min;at last

the needle was further inserted into the periosteum-muscle layer and EA was performed for 10 min again.The procedures for Ashi-point-EA group were the same.For patients of the routine EA treatment group

EA was applied to BL 23 for 30 min.The therapeutic effect for pain was assessed according to McGill Pain Questionnaire.Plasma and urine SP and 5-HT contents were determined using enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results In comparison with pre-treatment

pain scores

plasma and urine SP and 5-HT contents were remarkably decreased in renal colic patients of the "Sancai Needling"-EA group

Ashi-point-EA group and routine EA treatment group after the treatment(P<0.05).The effects of the "Sancai Needling"-EA group and Ashi-point-EA group were significantly superior to those of the routine EA treatment group in reducing pain score

plasma and urine SP and 5-HT contents(P<0.05).No statistical differences were found between the "Sancai Needling"-EA group and Ashi-point-EA group in pain score

plasma and urine SP and 5-HT contents(P>0.05).Conclusion "Sancai Needling"-EA treatment is effective in relieving renal colic in the patients

which may be closely associated with its effects in down-regulating plasma SP and 5-HT levels.