Effects of EGFR expression on gastric mucosa cells by the serum derived from stress rats treated with electroacupuncture at stomach meridian acupoints

Objective To observe the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)expression on gastric mucosa cells by the serum derived from stress-induced ulcer rats treated with electroacupuncture at stomach meridian acupoints.Methods A stress-induced ulcer model of the stomach in rats was established by soaking rats in water and binding their feet.52 rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,model serum group,stomach serum group and gallbladder serum group,and the gastric mucosa cells were separated by pronase digestion method and incubated by 100ml/L serum.The EGFR expression on gastric mucosa cells was detected by immunohistochemistry and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction(RT-PCR)methods.Results Compared with control group,model group and model serum group(their light density ratio:0.6860±0.0594,0.7104±0.0457 and 0.8516±0.0409,the serum in stomach serum group and gallbladder serum group(Their light density ratio:1.2272±0.0813;0.9640±0.0387)had a tendency to improve the EGFR expression on gastric mucosa cells(P0.01),furthermore the EGFR expression in stomach serum group was significantly higher than in gallbladder serum group(P0.01).Conclusion The serum derived from stress-induced ulcer rats treated with electroacupuncture at stomach meridian acupoints can distinctly increase the EGFR expression on gastric mucosa cells,which could be one proof for the TCM theory “Relative particularity between Meridian and Viscera”.