ABSTRACT
Objective To study the immunologic mechanism of electroacupuncture at Sanyin points on chronic abacterial prostatitis rats. Methods Forty-eight male rats were divided randomly into normal group, model group, drug group and electroacupuncture group, 12 rats in each group. The animal model was made by SC purified prostate protein twice with immunologic adjuvant, and the rats in electroacupuncture group and drug group were treated by electroacupuncture at Sanyin points and feeding Cernilton for 15 days. The changes of prostate weight, index, pathology and contents of IgG, expressions of IL-2 and IL-8 in prostate homogenate were observed. Results Compared with normal group, the prostate weight and index were significantly increased in model group (P<0.05), the content of IgG was significantly increased (P<0.05), cytokine IL-2 and IL-8 were highly expressed (P<0.05, P<0.01), prostate tissue’s morphology and structure were significantly impaired in model group. Compared with model group, the prostate weight and index were significantly decreased in electroacupuncture group after treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01), pathological changes reduced significantly, the content of IgG decreased significantly (P<0.05), the expressions of cytokine IL-2 and IL-8 were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the pathological manifestation of chronic inflammation was significantly improved. Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Sanyin points can reduce the secretion of local prostate antibody IgG, regulate the expression of cytokine IL-2 and IL-8, protect the morphology and structure of prostate tissue from damage. Electroacupuncture at Sanyin points can adjust local immunologic function and promote the recovery of prostate.