RESUMEN
Objective To explore the effect of electroacupuncture intervention on tumor growth and PCNA expression in HepG2 nude mice.Methods Thirty-two nude mice were randomized to electroacupuncture, electrostimulation, model and blank control groups, 8 mice each. A nude mouse model of subcutaneous tumor was made with HepG2. The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at points Zusanli and Sanyinjiao on bilateral lower limbs and the electrostimulation group, direct electrical stimulation of the same points. The tumor volume, the tumor/weight ratio and the tumor growth inhibition rate were observed. PCNA expression in the tumor tissue was determined.Results There was no statistically significant pre-/post-intervention difference in the tumor volume in the electroacupuncture, electrostimulation and model groups (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant post-intervention difference in the tumor volume between the electroacupuncture or electrostimulation group and the model group (P>0.05), but tumor growth tended to slow in the electroacupuncture group. There was no statistically significant pre-/post-intervention difference in the nude mouse weight in every group (P>0.05). There was a statistically significant post-intervention difference in the tumor/weight ratio between the electroacupuncture group and the electrostimulation or model group (P0.05). There was a statistically significantpost-intervention difference in the tumor growth inhibition rate between the electroacupuncture and electrostimulation groups (P0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can delay HepG2 tumor growth to a certain extent.