Objective To observe the effect of acupoint injection on eosinophils(EOS)counts and expression of eotaxin in nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis(AR)rats

so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improving AR.Methods Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into normal

model and acupoint injection groups(n=8in each group).The AR model was established by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin sensitization.Bilateral"Yingxiang"(LI 20)and"Yintang"(GV29)were selected for acupoint injection of the mixture solution of lidocaine

dexamethasone

and transfer factor(0.1mL/acupoint)on the 1st

5th

9th

and 13 th day after AR model established

a total of four times.EOS in the nasal mucosa was counted under light microscope after HE staining.Protein and mRNA expressions of eotaxin in the nasal mucosa were detected by immunohistochemical and RT-PCR methods

respectively.Results Compared with the normal group

EOS counts

protein and mRNA expressions of eotaxin in the nasal mucosa were significantly higher in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group

EOS counts

protein and mRNA expressions of eotaxin in the nasal mucosa were significantly lower in the acupoint injection group(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupoint injection can reduce the nasal mucosa inflammation by suppressing the protein and mRNA expressions of eotaxin

decreasing the infiltration and gathering of EOS in the nasal mucosa.