Electroacupuncture and its effect on rat hepatic functions

The effect of single, acute (7 pulses/sec., 0.75 volt) and chronic (4 pulses/sec., 0.75 volt) electroacupuncture (EA) treatment on alternate days for a period of 21 days on hepatic functions of rats were studied at cellular and subcellular levels. The points used for EA were Shenshu, Dachangshu and Zusanli. After chronic treatment, (a) protein, RNA, phospholipid, and cholesterol contents of whole liver and liver microsomal fraction increased significantly, (b) liver microsomal G-6-Pase activity increased significantly, (c) microsomal lipid peroxidation value decreased, (d) lipase activity increased. After acute treatment, (e) phospholipid, and cholesterol contents of the whole liver and liver microsomal fraction increased significantly, (f) liver microsomal G-6-Pase activity increased significantly, (g) liver microsomal lipid peroxidation value decreased, (h) GPT and lipase activity of liver increased. The parameters unchanged in acute treatment were as follows: (i) protein, RNA content, (j) GOT activity of the liver, (k) SGOT and SGPT activity, (1) hepatic triglyceride. The parameters unchanged in chronic treatment were as follows: (m) GOT and GPT activity of the liver, (n) SGOT and SGPT activity, (o) hepatic triglyceride. No apparent harmful effect of EA on rat hepatic functions is obvious from present study.