Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)combined with cutaneous"Tongluo"(meridiandredging)stimulation on gastric electrical activities and gastromucosal prostaglandin(PG)level in rats with chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG)

so as to investigate its mechanism underlying improvement of gastric function.Methods A total of 40 SD rats were randomly divided into blank control

CAG model

medication and combined therapy groups

with 10 rats being in each group.CAG model was established by intragastric administration of deionized water with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine(MNNG)solution(5mL/kg)

once a day

in combination with alternate fasting and full-eating and lavage of 2% sodium salicylate and warm saline(15%)for 12 weeks.For rats of the combined therapy group

EA was applied to"Zusanli"(ST 36)

"Zhongwan"(CV 12)

"Tianshu"(ST 25)and"Pishu"(BL 20)

two acupoints for one session

followed by cutaneous"Tongluo"stimulation of ST 25 and BL 20 by using an intelligent Tongluo therapeutic instrument for 20 min

once daily for 2months.Electrogastrography(EGG)was recorded using an intelligent gastrointestinal electrographic instrument.Gastromucosal PGE2 and PGF2αcontents were assayed by radioimmunoassay.Results Compared to the control group

the mean frequency and amplitude of EGG

and gastromucosal PGE2 and PGF2αcontents were obviously decreased while the abnormal rhythm index and frequency-variationcoefficiency levels were markedly increased in the model group(P<0.01).Following treatment

the above-mentioned changes of the 6indexes were significantly reversed by both medication and combined therapy(P<0.01).No significant differences were found between the medication and combined therapy groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Combined use of EA and intelligent Tongluo stimulation can significantly improve the gastroelectric dysrhythmia in CAG rats

which may be closely associated with its effect in up-regulating gastric mucosal PGE2 and PGF2αlevels.