Objective: To explore the mechanism of pricking blood therapy (PBT) for allergic rhinitis (AR).
Methods: The model rat of experimental allergic rhinitis (EAR) was established by administration of ovoglohulin and they were divided into five groups randomly: a model group, a PBT group, a TCM point application group, a beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) treatment group, and a health control group. Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) contents in hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal gland and plasma were determined by radioimmunoassay before and after treatment.
Results: The ACTH levels in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal gland and plasma in the rat of EAR were lower than those in the health control group (P < 0.01). After treatment of pricking blood ther, ACTH levels in the above tissues increased significantly (P < 0.01), with very significant differences (P < 0.01) as compared with the model group, similar to those in the BDP group (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Pricking blood therapy has a regulatory action on ACTH in HPA axis of rats with experimental allergic rhinitis.