Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA)at"Yanglingquan"(GB 34)acupoint on white blood cell(WBC)count and gallbladder wall thickness in rabbits with acute cholecystitis

so as to explore the inherent correlation between the gallbladder and GB 34 acupoint according to the theory of Chinese medicine.Methods Thirty-two male rabbits were randomly and equally divided into control group

model group

EA "Yanglingquan"(GB 34)group(EA-GB 34)and EA "Yinlingquan"(SP 9)group(EA-SP 9).The acute cholecystitis model was induced by intra-gallbladder injection of escherichia coli liquid.EA stimulation was delivered once per day for consecutive 7days.WBC count and gallbladder wall thickness were measured to assess the effects of EA treatment.HE staining was carried out to examine the pathological changes of the gallbladder tissue.Results Compared with the control group

WBC count and gallbladder wall thickness of the model group were significantly increased(P<0.05)

and those changes were reversed by EA intervention at either GB 34 or SP 9acupoints(P<0.05).As to WBC count

there was no significant difference between EA-GB 34 and EA-SP 9groups(P>0.05)

whereas for reducing gallbladder wall thickness

EA stimulation at GB 34 acupoint resulted in a better effect than that of EA at SP 9acupoint(P<0.05).Conclusion EA produces positive therapeutic benefits on acute cholecystitis in rabbits.It seems that stimulation at"Yanglingquan"acupoint gives rise to a better effect than that of"Yinlingquan"acupoint in particular for the reduction of gallbladder wall thickness.