EFFECTS OF LOW-FREQUENCY ELECTROACUPUNCTURE ON THE IMMUNOLOGIC FUNCTION IN MORPHINE DEPENDENCE RATS

Objective: To observe the effect of low-frequency electroacupuncture (EA) on the immunologic function in morphine dependence rats. Methods: Forty SD rats were used in this study. Morphine-dependence model was established by intraperitoneal injection of morphine hydrochloride continuously for 5 days and hastened by administration (i.p) of Naloxone. These rats were randomly divided into control, model, EA and auto-demorphinization groups with 10 cases being in each group. In EA group, "Guanyuan"(CV 4),"Mingmen"(GV 4), etc. were punctured and stimulated electrically. Positive T lymphocyte subgroups, CD + 4 and CD + 8 in the peripheral blood were detected with fluorescence immuno-assay. Results: In model group, serum percentage of CD + 4 and CD + 4/CD + 8 decreased considerably in comparison with those of control group (P<0.01); while in EA group, CD + 4 level and CD + 4/CD + 8 increased significantly compared with those of model group (P<0.01); and no significant differences were found between auto-demorphinization group and model group and between EA and control groups in these two indexes. Conclusion: Low-frequency EA can promote the restoration of the immune function of morphine dependence rats.