Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture stimulation of"Dazhui"(GV 14)

bilateral"Fengmen"(BL 12)and"Feishu"(BL 13)on the thickness of the bronchial tubal wall and smooth muscle and expression of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)in asthma rats so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improvement of asthma.Methods Forty SD rats were randomly assigned to control

model

acupuncture and medication groups.The asthma model was induced by subcutaneous injection of 1%egg albumin solution and forced inhalation of atomized ovalbumin.Rats of the acupuncture group were treated by acupuncture stimulation of GV 14

bilateral BL 12 and BL 13(once daily for 10days)

and rats of the medication group treated by intraperitoneal injection of Aminophylline Injection(100mg/kg

once daily for 10days).The thickness of the bronchial tubal wall and airway smooth muscle of the lung tissue were measured by image analyzer for assessing the degree of airway remodeling.The expression of TGF-β1in the small airway was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared to the control group

the thickness of the airway wall and smooth muscle

and the expression level of TGF-β1were remarkably increased in the model group(P<0.01).After acupuncture intervention and medication treatment

the thickness of the airway wall and smooth muscle

and the expression level of TGF-β1were remarkably down-regulated in both groups in comparison with those of the model group(P<0.05

P<0.01)

and the expression of TGF-β1in the acupuncture group was obviously lower than that of the medication group(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture stimulation of GV 14

bilateral BL 12 and BL 13 can down-regulate bronchial asthma-induced increase of TGF-β1expression in the lung tissue in asthma rats

which may contribute to its effect in improving airway remodeling.