电针对类风湿关节炎大鼠糖皮质激素及受体的影响

目的 :探讨电针对类风湿性关节炎 (RA)大鼠糖皮质激素 (CS)及受体 (GCR)的影响。方法 :采用佐剂性关节炎大鼠 (AA)作为RA动物模型 ,电针“足三里”治疗后 ,放免测定血浆CS、胸腺GCR含量。结果 :模型组大鼠血浆CS明显下降 ,电针后CS水平明显升高 ,二者比较 ,P <0 .0 5,且达到正常水平 ,电针组与正常组比较 ,P >0 .0 5;模型组大鼠胸腺GCRKD值显著低于正常组和空电组 (P <0 .0 1 ) ,其浓度也明显低于正常组、空电组 (P <0 .0 5) ,电针治疗后GCRKD值和浓度水平与模型组相比均有显著提高 (P <0 .0 1 )。结论 :电针能够增加RA大鼠的CS、GCR含量水平

Effect of Electroacupuncture of "Zusanli" on Plasma Corticosterone Content and Glucocorticosteroid Receptor Affinity and Concentration of Rheumatoid Arthritis Rats

Objective: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Zusanli"(ST 36) on plasma corticosterone (CS) level and glucocorticosteroid receptor (GCR) affinity and concentration in rheumatoid arthritis(RA) rats. Methods: 40 SD rats were randomly and evenly divided into normal control, blank EA, model and model+EA groups. The rheumatoid arthritis rat model was established by injecting Freund's complete adjunvant(FCA) into the right posterior paw. EA (2～4 V, 2～100 Hz frequency) was applied to bilateral "Zusanli"(ST 36) for 20 min, once daily, with 7 days being a therapeutic course, 3 courses all together. Plasma CS concentration was detected with radioimmunoassay and the dissociation constant (KD) and concentration of GCR in the thymus gland supernatant were calculated and measured. Results: In model group, the pain threshold decreased significantly compared with that of normal control group (P<0.05); while in blank EA and model+EA group, it increased considerably (P<0.01). Simultaneously, the foot volume (reflecting the swelling state) in model group increased on the 7 th day and peaked on the 14 th day after injection of FCA, whereas that of model+EA group decreased continuously, showing a significant swelling-relief effect of EA (P< 0.05, 0.01, vs model group). In model group, plasma CS concentration, KD and GCR concentration declined obviously compared with normal group (P<0.05, 0.01, 0.01), in EA+model group, they were close to those of normal control group, displaying a significant difference between model and EA+model group in CS content and KD and GCR concentration (P<0.05, 0.01, 0.01). It showed that EA could significantly raise plasma CS and GCR affinity and level in the thymus gland, potentiating the cellular immunofunction in RA rats. Conclusion: EA of "Zusanli"(ST 36) can increase RA rat's corticosterone concentration in plasma and glucocorticosteroid receptor levels in plasma and thymus gland to enhance the cellular immune capability.