Effect of electro-acupuncture at zusanli on severe thermal injury-induced acute lung injury in rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture at zusanli on Severe thermal injury-induced acute lung injury in rats.Methods Forty male SD rats weighing 200-250 g were used in this study.Thirty percent of the total body surface (TBS) was shaved chemically with 20% sodium sulfate and then exposed to 99-100℃ water for 12 s.The animals with third degree thermal injury involving 30% TBS were randomly divided into 5 groups(n=8 each)group Ⅰ control(group C);groupⅡ thermal injury;group Ⅲ electro-acupuncture at zusanli;group Ⅳ electric stimulation of non-acupoint and group Ⅴ electro-acupuncture at zusanli+α-bungarotoxin α-BGT).In group Ⅲ,Ⅳ,and Ⅴ electro-stimulation(3 v,2 ms,3 Hz) of zusanli or non-acupoint was performed for 12 min immediately after thermal injury model was established and every 8 h.hung specimens were obtained at 48 h after thermal injury for microscopic examination.The pulmonary HMGB-l protein level was measured by ELISA.The expression of HMGB-1 mRNA and protein in the lung was determined by RT-PCR and immuno-histochemistry respectively.Results Thermal injury induced leucocytosis in the interstitial capillaries,interstitial edema,intra-alveolar fibrin deposit,blebbing of type Ⅱ alveolar lining cells and decrease in lamellar body.Both expression of HMGB-1 mRNA and protein in the lung was significantly enhanced at 48 h after thermal injury.Electrical stimulation of zusanli significantly down-regalated the expression of HMGB-1 mRNA and protein in the lung.However,α-BGT pretreatment reversed the effects of electrical stimulation of zusanli.Conclusion Electrical stimulation of zusanli could significantly ameliorate severe thermal injury-induced acute lung injury through inhibition of HMGB-1 mRNA and protein expression and activation of cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway mediated by nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α7 subunit.