Abstract: Objective To study the protection effect of acupuncturing acupoint ST 36 on cold restrainted stress induced ulcer,and the expression of nitric oxide synthase(NOS2) and endothelin-1(ET-1) related with stress in hypothalamus and adrenal.MethodsUlcer Index in rats and RT-PCR were used to study the protection effect in stress-induced ulcer with acupuncture as well as the expression of NOS2 and ET-1 in hypothalamus and adrenal.Images were analyzed with semi-quantitative method. ResultsThe ulcer Index was significant decreased in stress-induced ulcer rats by acupuncturing contrast with only stress induced ulcer rats.The increased expression of NOS2 and ET-1 were related with stress-induced ulcer,and acupuncture would decreased its expression.There was no NOS2 and ET-1 expression in adrenal in stress induced ulcer rats. ConclusionThe protection effect in stress-induced ulcer with acupuncturing acupoint ST36 were realized.

Key words: acupuncture, ST36, cold-restrainted stress, nitric oxide synthase, endothelin-1, stress ulcer