[Effects of electroacupuncture of unilateral and bilateral "zusanli" (ST 36) on serum TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IL-4 levels in rats with chronic inflammatory pain].

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on serum tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-1 and IL-4 levels in rats with chronic inflammatory pain,so as to investigate its underlying mechanism in relieving pain.Methods Forty-eight SD rats were randomized into control,model,EA-unilateral ST36,and EA-bilateral ST36 groups,with 12 rats in each.Chronic inflammatory pain model was established by intradermal injection of Freund's complete adjuvant(0.1mL) into the right paw.EA(2Hz/100Hz,1-2-3mA) was applied to the unilateral "Zusanli"(ST36) and bilateral "Zusanli"(ST36) for 30 min,once every 3 days and continuously for 4 weeks.Serum TNF-α,IL-1 and IL-4 contents were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Results Compared with the control group,serum TNF-α,IL-1 and IL-4 contents of the model group increased significantly(P0.01),while in comparison with the model group,the levels of the 3 indexes were decreased considerably in both unilateral and bilateral ST36 groups(P0.01).No significant differences were found between the unilateral ST36 and bilateral ST36 groups in serum TNF-α,IL-1 and IL-4 contents(P0.05).Conclusion EA can effectively lower serum TNF-α,IL-1 and IL-4 levels in inflammatory pain rats,which may contribute to its effect in relieving inflammatory pain.