Objective To observe the effect of moxibustion and electroacupuncture(EA)stimulation of"Tianshu"(ST 25)and"Qihai"(CV 6)on Th 1/Th 2immune balance in rats with experimental ulcerative colitis(UC).Methods The UC rats were randomly allocated to model group

moxibustion group and EA group(n=10in each group).Another 10 rats were used as the control group.The UC model was established by injection of fresh colonic mucosal tissue-made antigen emulsifier(purified mucosal supernate plus complete Freund's adjuvant

3.5mg on day one

and 7mg thereafter)into the bilateral toes

inguinal grooves

back

and the abdominal cavity on day 1

10

17 and 24

respectively.Medicinal paste(containing Cortex Cinnamomi

Flos Carthami

etc.)-separated moxibustion or EA(200Hz

2mA)was applied to ST 25 and CV 6for 20 min

once daily for 14 days.The mRNA expression levels of interferon-γ(INF-γ)

IL-12

IL-4 and IL-10 in colon tissues were detected using quantitative RT-PCR and their content determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The colon tissue cell ratios of CD 4

+

INF-γ+INF-γ

+

and CD 4+and CD 4

+

IL-4+IL-4

+

were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results Compared with the control group

the mRNA and contents of colonic INF-γ and IL-12 and the ratio of CD 4+were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results Compared with the control group

the mRNA and contents of colonic INF-γ and IL-12 and the ratio of CD 4

+

INF-γ+INF-γ

+

and CD 4+and CD 4

+

IL-4+IL-4

+

were significantly higher in the model group(P

<

0.05)

and the IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA expression and contents considerably lower after UC modeling(P

<

0.05).Following medicinal paste-separated moxibustion and EA interventions

the increased INF-γand IL-12 mRNA and contents and the increased ratio of CD 4+were significantly higher in the model group(P

<

0.05)

and the IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA expression and contents considerably lower after UC modeling(P

<

0.05).Following medicinal paste-separated moxibustion and EA interventions

the increased INF-γand IL-12 mRNA and contents and the increased ratio of CD 4

+

INF-γ+INF-γ

+

and CD 4+and CD 4

+

IL-4+IL-4

+

and the decreased IL-4and IL-10 mRNA and contents were reversed(P

<

0.05).No significant differences were found between the moxibustion and EA groups in the levels of all the indexes(P

>

0.05).Conclusion Both medicinal paste-separated moxibustion and EA interventions may regulate the balance between Th 1and Th 2cells in the colonic tissues of UC rats

suggesting an improvement of the immune function by down-regulating INF-γand IL-12 levels and up-regulating IL-4and IL-10 levels.