Effects of acupuncture at "Sifeng" (EX-UE 10) on serum zinc and gastric emptying rate in the rat of experimental spleen deficiency / 中国针灸

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe the mechanism of acupuncture at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) for treatment of infant anorexia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Healthy rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and an acupuncture group. The model rats were made by intramuscular injection of Reserpine. The acupuncture group were treated with pricking at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) once daily for 2 weeks. After that, the gastric emptying rate and contents of Zn in the red cell and serum were observed in all the groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the model group, the gastric emptying rate was accelarated, and the serum Zn content was increased in the acupuncture group (P<0.01, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) has significant therapeutic effect on the rat with spleen deficiency, accelerating the gastric emptying rate and increasing the serum Zn content.</p>