Effects of acupuncture at Shu,Yuan, and Mu acupoints on blood serum uric acid and xanthine oxidase levels in a rat model of gout and hyperuricemia

Objective

To investigate the effects of needling the Shu, Yuan, and Mu acupoints on serum uric acid (SUA), xanthine oxidase (XOD), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels and the kidney index in a rat model of gout and hyperuricemia.

Methods

Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups: blank, model, Shu-acupoint, Yuan-acupoint, and Mu-acupoint groups. A rat model of hyperuricemia was developed by intragastric administration of adenine and ethambutol. This experiment last for 90 d in total. Treatment groups underwent 3 courses of acupuncture. Each course involved a total of 10 interventions (one intervention every second day) with each intervention lasting 15 min. There was a break for 10 d between courses. SUA and ALP were analyzed using an automatic biochemical analyzer and XOD was analyzed using immunofluorescence.

Results

Compared with the blank group, SUA and XOD levels in the model group were significantly higher and the renal index significantly improved. Compared with the model group, SUA and XOD levels in the three treatment groups decreased and the renal index significantly improved. When the three treatment groups were compared, the Mu-acupoint group showed the greatest decreases in SUA and XOD levels, followed by the Yuan-acupoint group. There was no significant difference in kidney index among the three treatment groups. There was no significant difference in ALP levels among the groups.

Conclusion

The three treatments showed significantly reduced SUA and XOD levels compared with the control groups, possibly suggesting reduced renal damage.