[Effect of different needle-retained time of electroacupuncture on expression of nitric oxide synthase in the septum of the rat].
OBJECTIVE
To probe into the relationship of different needle-retained time with therapeutic effects.


METHODS
Forty experimental rats were evenly randomized into 5 groups, electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 5 min, 15 min, 30 min and 60 min groups, who received EA for 5, 15, 30 and 60 min respectively, and a control group who did not receive EA. Nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) method and computer image analysis system were used to detect the meangray of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) positive neurons in the septum.


RESULTS
NOS positive neurons in the septum did not change as the EA for 5 min group compared with the control group (P > 0.05); the number of heavily staining NOS positive neurons increased significantly (P < 0.05) and the meangray of the NOS positive neurons significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in some septal subnuclei (lateral septum, and medial septum, vertical diagnonal band) after EA for 15, 30, 60 min as compared with the control group, and the numbers and the meangray of the NOS positive neurons in the septum were not significantly difference among the 3 EA groups.


CONCLUSIONS
NOS expression in the septum increases and keeps a same level from EA for 15 min to 60 min.
Hou
Liang-Qin
LQ
Department of Anatomy, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241001, China.
Xiong
Ke-Ren
KR
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000818:Animals; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020665:Septum of Brain / Q000201:enzymology*
D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase