Effects of electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu (ST 37) on interleukin-1beta and interleukin-4 in the ulcerative colitis model rats.

Objective: To probe into the mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) at Shangjuxu (ST 37) for treatment of the ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: a normal group, a model group, a Shangjuxu group and a non-acupoint group, 10 rats in each group. The UC rat model was made with enema of trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid (TNBSA), and the changes of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) contents after EA at Shangjuxu (ST 37) were observed.

Results: EA at Shangjuxu (ST 37) could significantly decrease the IL-1beta content and increase the IL-4 content in the colic tissues of the UC rats with significant differences as compared with the model group and the non-acupoint group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

Conclusions: The mechanisms of EA at Shangjuxu (ST 37) for treatment of the UC rats is possibly related with the decrease of IL-1beta, a inflammation-promoting cytokine, and the increase of IL-4, a anti-inflammatory cytokine.