[Influence of electroacupuncture of Guanyuan (GV 4) and Zusanli (ST 36) on the immune function of T cells in aging rats].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) on T cell immunologic function in the aged rats so as to reveal its underlying mechanism in anti-aging effect.


METHODS
Fifty SD rats (half male and half female) were randomly divided into normal control (young rats), aging model (model), EA group, immunosuppression (IS), and EA+ IS groups. Aging model (in the late 4 groups) was duplicated by subcutaneous injection of D-galactose for 40 days. Guanyuan (CV 4) and bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) were punctured and stimulated electrically (2 Hz, 1 mA), 15 min every time, six times a week and for four weeks. IS model was induced by i. p. i. of cytoxan (60 mg/kg) after 26 and 27 days' EA treatment. Splenetic T lymphocyte proliferation index was assayed by Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) chromatometry. IL-2/IL-2 receptor (R) expression level of T cells was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CD8+ CD28(+) -T cell subset fluorescence intensity was detected by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Compared with normal control group, the splenetic T lymphocyte proliferation index, IL-2 and IL-2R expression levels, and CD8+ CD28(+) -T cell density in model and IS groups decreased significantly (P < 0.01). In comparison with model group, the abovementioned indexes in EA and EA + IS groups increased significantly (P < 0.01), and those indexes levels of EA + IS group were also significantly higher than those in IS group ( P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Comparison between EA and EA+ IS groups showed that CD8+ CD2+ T cell expression of the later group was significantly lower than that in EA group (P < 0 05). No significant differences were found between EA and EA + IS groups in T cell proliferation rate and IL-2 and IL-2R expression levels (P > 0.05)


CONCLUSIONS
EA of CV 4 and ST 36 induced upregulation of T cell proliferation and IL-2/IL-2R, and CD8+ CD(+)28 -T cell may contribute to its antiaging and immuno-enhancement effects in the aged rats.
Liu
Jian-Min
JM
College of Acu-moxibution, Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hubei College of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430061, China. liujm_206@hotmail.com
Liang
Feng-Xia
FX
Li
Jia
J
Liu
Xi-Quan
XQ
Tang
Hong-Tu
HT
Wu
Song
S
Wang
Hua
H
Chen
Ze-Bin
ZB
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000097:blood; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D018106:CD28 Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2