Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture on the expression of T-box expressed in T cell(T-bet)/GATA binding factor-3(GATA-3)in plasma of rats with chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS)and explore the mechanism of acupuncture treatment for CFS.Methods Forty-eight healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group

CFS model group

acupuncture group

and ginsenoside group(12rats in each group).CFS rat model was established by combining restriction and cold water swimming.Acupuncture was applied to"Baihui"(GV 20)

"Guanyuan"(CV 4)and"Zusanli"(ST 36

bilateral)acupoints

once a day for two weeks.The ginsenoside group was gavage administrated with ginsenoside

once a day for two weeks.After 14 days

behavioural changes were observed

and the expression levels of T-bet/GATA-3genes in plasma were detected by RT-PCR.Results Compared with the blank control group

the time for immobility of forced suspensory test was significantly longer(P<0.05)and the time for exhaustive swimming was significantly shortened(P<0.05)in the CFS model group.Compared with the model group

the two indexes above-mentioned were reversed(P<0.05)both in the acupuncture group and the ginsenoside group

and the effects in the acupuncture group were more significant than those in the ginsenoside group(P<0.05).Compared with the blank control group

the expression level of T-cell transcription factor T-bet gene in plasma was higher in the CFS model group(P<0.05)

companied with lower GATA-3gene expression(P<0.05).The ratio of T-bet/GATA-3was higher in the model group than in the blank control group(P<0.05).Compared with the CFS model group

all the indexes above-mentioned were reversed(P<0.05)in the two treatment groups.Acupuncture group showed a better effect on reducing T-bet gene expression than the ginsenoside group(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture can decrease the expression level of T-bet gene while increase the expression of GATA-3gene

which may be associated with its role in treating CFS.