[Effect of leu-enkephalin in striatum on modulating cellular immune during electropuncture]

Zusanli points of rat were used to study the effect of acupuncture on the synthesis and release of endogenous leu-enkephalin (LEK) in modulating immune function as assayed by T lymphocyte proliferative response, i.e. the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT). The results are as follows: (1) LEK level in striatum was increased as LTT was enhanced by puncture. The latter effect could be inhibited by microinjection of naloxone into striatum. (2) Injection of LEK into striatum caused a significant enhancement of LTT, an effect being more powerful than did by electropuncture. (3) Following injection of LEK antiserum into striatum, electropuncture enhanced LTT was inhibited. The above results demonstrate that the LEK plays an important role in modulating cellular immune function during electropuncture, through its action in striatum either as a neurotransmitter or as a neuromodulator.