[Influence of intrathecal injection of fluorocitrate on the protective effect of electroacupuncture on gastric mucosa in high humid heat stress rats].
OBJECTIVE
To study if the spinal glial cells involve in the protective effect of acupuncture on gastric mucosa in high humid heat stress rats.


METHODS
Thirty-six male SD rats were randomized into 6 groups: control, stress model, electroacupuncture (EA), Fluorocitrate(FCA, intrathecal injection of FCA. 1 microL, 60 min before humid heat stress), EA+ normal saline (NS, intrathecal injection of NS) and EA+ FCA groups. Stress model was established by putting the rats in a container with higher temperature and higher humidity [(40.0 +/- 0.5) degrees C, relative humidity (60 +/- 5)%] for 60 min. EA (50 Hz, intermittent waves, 2-5 V) was applied to bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 60 min. Using immunofluorescent methods, we observed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and microglia OX42 immunoreactivity (OD value) in the tissue of the lumbar enlargement segment of the spinal cord. We evaluated and recorded the damage index (DI) of gastric mucosa of rats according to Guth's method.


RESULTS
There were clear dot-line-like hemorrhage foci with formation of ulcer in the gastric mucosa 60 minutes after high humid heat stimulation. Compared with model group, DI of gastric mucosa in EA and EA+ NS groups decreased significantly (P < 0.05, suggesting a protective effect of EA on the gastric mucosa under stress), OD values of EA and EA + NS groups increased considerably (P < 0.05). Comparison between EA and EA+ FCA groups showed that DI of EA + FCA group was higher than that of EA group, while the OD values of GFAP and OX42 in EA+ FCA group was markedly lower than those in EA group (P < 0.05), suggesting an inhibitory effect of FCA on the effects of EA in improving stress-induced damage of gastric mucosa and upregulation of GFAP and OX42 expression.


CONCLUSIONS
EA at "Zusanli" (ST 36) can prevent the gastric mucosa from injury caused by high humid heat stimulation. The lumbar spinal glial cells may play a role in EA's protective function.
Qin
Ming
M
Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, China. qmm427@yahoo.com.cn
Rao
Zhi-ren
ZR
Wang
Jing-jie
JJ
Zhao
Bao-min
BM
Yang
Qi
Q
Wang
Xu-xia
XX
Huang
Yu-xin
YX
D000818:Animals; D039481:CD11b Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D002951:Citrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019610:Cytoprotection; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008297:Male; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology*; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000473:pathology*
D039481:CD11b Antigen; D002951:Citrates; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; C007744:fluorocitrate