Objective: To observe the influence of lift-thrust reinforcing-reducing manipulations of acupuncture on serum ferritin (SF) content and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) in blood-deficiency syndrome rabbits so as to study its underlying mechanisms.
Methods: Sixty Japanese white rabbits were randomized into blank control,model, acupuncture needle-retaining, reinforcing-manipulation (reinforcing) and reducing-manipulation (reducing) groups (n = 12 in each group). Blood-deficiency syndrome model was duplicated by bleeding (about 10 mL/time, once every other day, for 5 times) and food restriction (half of the normal quantity). Bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) were punctured by using filiform needles. The needles were not lifted and thrust for rabbits of the needle-retaining group, but lifted and thrust for 15 min for rabbits of the reinforcing and reducing groups. The treatment was given once every other day, 10 times altogether. Serum SF and TIBC levels were assayed by radioimmunoassay.
Results: Following modeling, compared to the blank control group, serum SF content was decreased significantly (P < 0.05), while TIBC level was increased considerably in the model group (P < 0.05). On day 17 after acupuncture treatment, serum SF contents of both reinforcing and reducing groups were up-regulated significantly in comparison with pre-treatment after modeling in the same one group (P < 0.05), while TIBC levels in these two groups were down-regulated evidently compared with pre-treatment (P < 0.05). In comparison with the model group, serum SF content in the reducing group was up-regulated apparently and TIBC levels in both reinforcing and reducing groups were down-regulated remarkably (P < 0.05). On day 32 after the treatment, serum SF contents were increased markedly and TIBC levels decreased remarkably in the needle-retaining, reinforcing and reducing groups in comparison with pre-treatment after modeling (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the reinforcing and reducing groups in both serum SF and TIBC levels (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Both reinforcing and reducing manipulation of acupuncture of "Zusanli" (ST 36) can up-regulate serum SF content and down-regulate TIBC level in blood-deficiency syndrome rabbits, which may contribute to their effects in improving blood-deficiency syndrome and has no significant difference.