title: [Effects of electroacupuncture stimulation of "Zusanli" (ST 36) on the regional vascular intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 mRNA expression and mast cell activity in normal rats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of "Zusanli" (ST 36) on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mRNA expression and mast cell (MC) distribution in the stimulated subcutaneous tissues in nor- mal rats, so as to study the correlation between ICAM-1 mRNA expression and MC activity during EA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to normal group and EA group. EA(2 Hz/15 Hz, 0. 1 mA) stimulation was applied to the bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 25 min. The expression of OICAM-1 mRNA in subcutaneous tissues of the left "Zusanli" (ST 36) area was detected by in situ hybridization, and MC activity of the same tissues was observed under microscope after staining with acetylcho- line esterase (AChE) and toluidine blue (TB, counterstaining), respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the normal group, the ICAM-1 mRNA expressed at a markedly higher level in the subcutaneous tissues of the "Zusanli" (ST 36) region in the EA group (P<0. 01), and MC counts were also significantly increased in the EA group (P<0. 01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EA stimulation up-regulates the expression of ICAM-1 mRNA and enhances MC release from the stimulated regional subcutaneous tissue in healthy rats, suggesting ICAM-1 played an important role in affecting the movement and recruitment of MCs towards acupoint during EA.
authors: Xiao-jing
authors: XJ
authors: Song
authors: Ming-fu
authors: MF
authors: Luo
authors: Jin
authors: J
authors: Jiang
authors: Jin-ling
authors: JL
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1