Effects of ST36, BL21 on the Serum Gastrin Level, Endocrine Cells and Mucus of Gastric Mucosa In Rats

족삼리(足三里) 위유(胃兪) 혈(穴)이 흰쥐 혈중 Gastrin 농도, 위점막의 내분비세포 및 점액에 미치는 영향

Objective : The purpose of this study is To investigate the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion at Zusanli(ST36) and Weishu(BL21) Methods : serum gastrin level by radioimmunoassay was measured at 5 days after acupuncture and moxibustion of those acupoints. Gastric endocrine cell(G cell and Histamine immunoreactive density) by avidin-biotinylated complex(ABC) technique, histological examinations(Alcian Blue-PAS Stain; Alcian blue-Periodic Acid Schiff reagent) of the gastric mucosa were also performed. Acupuncture applied to the ST36 acupoint increased gastrin level of serum, but moxibustion did not produced significant effect. All of acupuncture and moxibustion at BL21 acupoint increased gastrin level of serum significantly. In moxibustion at ST36 and BL21, the number of gastrin secreting cells in gastric mucosa, the density of immunoreactive histamin secreting cells and the density of body mucosa stained by PAS were decreased compare to acupuncture at ST36 and BL21. In acupuncture and moxibustion at BL21, the density of pylorus mucosa stained by PAS were increased compare to the groups applied to ST36. In the density of body mucosa stained by AB, moxibustion at BL21 and ST36 were increased compare to the other groups. Results : These data suggest that acupuncture and moxibustion at BL21 increased gastrin level of serum and those effects were more potent than acupuncture at ST36.