Influence Of Acupuneture Preconditioning On Cellular Immune Function In Aged Rats

ObjectiveBased on traditional Chinese medicine "treat disease before it arises" theory,under the guidance of "shuang gu yi tong" acupuncture therapy,selecting Zusanli(ST36). Guanyuan(CV4),using "acupuncture preconditioning(AP)", discussion on effect of AP on immune function in the elderly, certified AP on different immune state regulation of cellular immune function of aged rats.This study provides more experimental basis for clinical application of AP, and a basis for further research.MethodsSeventy19-month-old male SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups, with10equally. The groups are:blank control group(group A),fixation of clothed rats+sham acupuncture group(group B),AP group(group C), immunosuppressed(IS) model group(group D),AP+IS model group(group E), activated(IA) model group(group F) and AP+IA model group(group G).The study used electro-acupuncture on Zusanli(ST36) and Guanyuan(CV4),once a day,and lasts two weeks.CTX intraperitoneally injection on rats, and lasts two days, causing immunosuppression in rats.LPS single intraperitoneally injection on rats, causing immune activated in rats.Detcet the amount of immune cells and the forming rate of erythrocyte rosettes of each group of aged rats,observation on changes of thymus tissue and use ELISA determination of serum IL-2,IL-6concentration. SPSS17.0analysis software system for all data processing,comparison between group t test.Results1.AP at Zusanli(ST36) and Guanyuan(CV4) increase forming rate of total erythrocyte rosettes(P<0.05)and contents of IL-2in serum(P<0.05), decrease contents of IL-6in serum(P<0.05)of normal aged rats.2.AP at Zusanli(ST36) and Guanyuan(CV4) increase the reducing number of leukocytes and the forming rate of active erythrocyte rosettes and total erythrocyte rosettes(P<0.05) of immunosuppressed aged rats, increase reducing contents of IL-2and IL-6in serum(P<0.05)of immunosuppressed aged rats.3.AP at Zusanli(ST36) and Guanyuan(CV4) decrease the elevated number of leukocytes and the forming rate of active erythrocyte rosettes and total erythrocyte rosettes, contents of IL-6in serum(P<0.05)of immune activated aged rats, decrease the elevated contents of IL-2in serum(P<0.05)of immune activated aged rats.4.AP at Zusanli(ST36) and Guanyuan(CV4) delay the decline of normal aged rats thymus tissue structure,effective prevention of immunosuppressed aged rats thymus tissue structure of contraction,improve thymocytes of immune activated aged rats in thymus tissue stimulating excessive.ConclusionAP at Zusanli(ST36) and Guanyuan(CV4) can improve immunity and enhance immune activity of immune cells of normal aged rats. AP at Zusanli(ST36) and Guanyuan(CV4) has a benign regulation to immunosuppressed aged rats and immune activated aged rats. These effects may be achieved through regulation the number of immune cells, T-lymphocytes activity and contents of IL-2and IL-6in serum.AP at Zusanli(ST36) and Guanyuan(CV4) can improve the organ in elderly body’s ability to resist disease,reduce the influence of external stimulation on the body.The number of leukocytes,lymphocyte counts and the forming rate of erythrocyte rosettes,contents of IL-2and IL-6in serum are sensitive indicators reflect the immune function,but can they be used as simple evaluation indexes for acupuncture regulating immune function,yet further research confirmed.