Objective: To observe the effect of acupoint injection on eosinophils (EOS) counts and expression of eotaxin in nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis (AR) rats, so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improving AR.
Methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal, model and acupoint injection groups (n=8 in each group). The AR model was established by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin sensitization. Bilateral "Yingxiang"(LI 20) and "Yintang"(GV 29) were selected for acupoint injection of the mixture solution of lidocaine, dexamethasone, and transfer factor (0.1 mL/acupoint) on the 1st, 5th, 9th, and 13th day after AR model established, a total of four times. EOS in the nasal mucosa was counted under light microscope after HE staining. Protein and mRNA expressions of eotaxin in the nasal mucosa were detected by immunohistochemical and RT-PCR methods, respectively.
Results: Compared with the normal group, EOS counts, protein and mRNA expressions of eotaxin in the nasal mucosa were significantly higher in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, EOS counts, protein and mRNA expressions of eotaxin in the nasal mucosa were significantly lower in the acupoint injection group (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Acupoint injection can reduce the nasal mucosa inflammation by suppressing the protein and mRNA expressions of eotaxin, decreasing the infiltration and gathering of EOS in the nasal mucosa.