Effect On The T-lymphocyte Subpopulation-induced Heroin Addiction Rat By Catgut Embedding

Objective:To observe effect of acupoint catgut embedding on heroin addicts withdrawal symptoms and disorders of the immune function of T lymphocytes through the effects of different intervention methods heroin dependence in rats on withdrawal symptoms and CD4 + cell, CD8 + cell and the ratio of CD4 + / CD8 +, which can provide a theoretical basis for the efficacy of clinical treatment programs.Method:(1) The establishment of heroin addiction rat model: We established heroin addiction rat model by a dose followed by daily incremental principle of the intraperitoneal (ip) injection measure of heroin, the first day dose was 3mg /kg, then the daily dose in ascending order of 0.45mg/kg , and ninth day dose was 19.2mg/ kg. We injected Naloxone 4mg / kg to made the reminder addiction test and to calculate withdrawal symptom score after the last therapy to determine the rat model of heroin dependence. (2) Clinical Observation on acupoint catgut embedding: The successful model rats were randomly divided into natural abstinent group,methadone group,acupuncture group and acupoint catgut implantation group,and were given the appropriate treatment.The normal control group were injected with normal saline treatment for 4 weeks. We compared withdrawal symptom score change after the reminder addiction test again and observed the percentage in peripheral blood, spleen, and thymus CD4 + and CD8 + cell and the ratio of CD4 + / CD8 + by immunohistochemical method. Result:(1) Withdrawal symptom score: The withdrawal symptom score of methadone group was significantly lower than other groups after the intervention (p<0.01), while there was no significant difference between acupuncture group or catgut implantation group and natural withdrawal group (p> 0.05); (2)Thymus index and spleen index : Acupuncture and catgut implantation can improve thymus index and spleen index.The significant changes were observed as to the thymus index and spleen index in all other groups(p<0.05). The significant changes were observed as to the thymus index and spleen index berween acupuncture group and catgut implantation group also(p<0.05)(.3)Acupuncture and catgut implantation can improve the peripheral blood,spleen and thymus in the percentage of CD4 + cells and CD4 + / CD8 + values, and reduce the percentage of CD8 + cells. The change was significant between catgut embedding group and acupuncture group (p<0.05). There was no differences between methadone group and natural abstinent group (p>0.05).Conclusion :(1)Methadone can be good at easing the abstinent symptoms of heroin,but there is no safe effection in improving immune function .(2)Catgut embedding can improve thymus index,spleen index and disorder immune function of T lymphocyte. (3) It should be a ideal choice to combine the two treatments.