Effect of Treatment with Manual and Electro-Acupuncture at ST 36 and GB 34 on the Serum Gastrin Level in Rats

족삼리와 양릉천의 침, 전침과 경혈단위 전침기구 자극이 혈중 Gastrin 농도에 미치는 영향

It is well known that acupuncture is effective for treatment of gastric disease in human. For years, we have been utilizing a electro-acupuncture(EA) in attempt to manage gastric symptoms. However, the data on clinical effectiveness is conflicting and the action of acupoints is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of manual and electro acupuncture(EA) at acupoints of ST 36 and GB 34 on the serum gastrin level by radioimmunoassay in rats. All of acupuncture treatment was applied to the acupoints for 30 min during 3 days. Manual acupuncture with both acupoints resulted in increased gastrin serum level when compare to control group treated with only anesthesia. Either high (100 Hz) and low (2 Hz) frequency EA at ST 36 decreased gastrin serum level compared with control group, but EA at GB 34 conversely increased. In EA with device was designed stimulating only acupoint(New EA), either low frequency on ST 36 and high frequency on GB 34 unusually increased gastrin serum level compared to control group. The results of this experiment suggest that many factors, such as the selection of acupoints, the manipulation and the specification of acupuncture device, are capable of affecting acupuncture effects.