Objective: Electroacupuncture (EA) has been used to treat myalgia, allergy and gastroenteropathy in Korea. To determine whether EA can treat anaphylactic and inflammatory reactions, the effect of EA was investigated in a murine model.
Methods: EA stimulation of the ST36 acupoint was performed for 10 min. Using a passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) model, the antianaphylactic effects of EA were examined. Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were measured using the ELISA method. The level of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB/RelA protein and NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity was determined using the Western blot analysis and the transcription factor enzyme-linked immunoassay method.
Results: EA inhibits PCA and beta-hexosaminidase release, IL-6 secretion on the PCA, and in addition, EA reduces NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity.
Conclusion: These results indicate that EA may possess antianaphylactic and antiinflammatory properties.
Copyright 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.