Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture intervention on gastric ulcer(GU)and sleeping quality from the viewpoint of brain-gut axis which plays an important role in the regulation of many vital functions in the body.Methods Forty male Wistar rats were randomized into normal control

GU model

acupuncture of"Zhongwan"(CV 12)-"Zusanli"(ST 36

gastric function regulating acupoints)

acupuncture of"Shenmai"(BL 62)-"Zhaohai"(KI 6

sleep-promotion acupoints)

and acupuncture of CV 12-ST 36+BL 62-KI 6(combined treatment)groups

with 8rats in each group.GU model was established by intragastric perfusion of dehydrated alcohol(1mL/rat)

and sleep model established by intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium(40mg/kg)after the last treatment.The abovementioned acupoints were punctured with filiform needles and stimulated by manipulating the needle for about 30 s

once every 5min during 20 min of needle retention.The treatment was conducted once daily for five days.The contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)and interleukin-25(IL-25)in the serum and hippocampal tissues were detected by ELISA.Results Compared with the normal control group

the gastric ulcer index score

barbiturate-induced sleeping time

and TNF-αand IL-25 contents in both serum and hippocampus were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.01).Following acupuncture treatment

in comparison with the model group

the gastric ulcer index score

barbiturate-induced sleeping time

and TNF-αand IL-25 contents in both serum and hippocampus were significantly down-regulated in the CV 12-ST 36

BL 62-KI 6and combined treatment groups(P<0.01

P<0.05).The effects of the CV 12-ST 36 and combined treatment groups were remarkably superior to those of the BL 62-KI 6group in down-regulating ulcer index score

serum IL-25

and hippocampal TNF-αand IL-25contents(P<0.01

P<0.05).In addition

the effects of the BL 62-KI 6and combined treatment groups was considerably better than that of the CV 12-ST 36 group in shortening barbiturate-induced sleeping time(P<0.01

P<0.05).The effect of the combined treatment group was markedly better than that of the CV 12-ST 36 and BL 62-KI 6groups in lowering serum TNF-αcontent(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture stimulation of CV 12

ST 36

KI 6and BL 62 can relieve the gastric mucosal lesion

and shorten barbiturate-induced sleeping time in gastric ulcer rats

which may be related to its effects in reducing TNF-αand IL-25 contents in the serum and hippocampus tissues

suggesting a correlation between the gastrointestinal disorder and sleeping.