Effects of Spleen-Deficency on TGF-β and GM-CSF in Rats with Experimental Bronchial Asthma and Regulatory Effect of Acupuncture at Zusanli

Objective To explore the changes of TGF-β and GM-CSF in rats with experimental bronchial asthma of spleen-deficency and the regulatory effect of acupuncture at Zusanli. Methods The rat models with spleen-deficiency in TCM and bronchial asthma in West Medicine were set up. They were given acupuncture at Zusanli. The concentration of TGF-β and GM-CSF in BALF were detected by enzyme linked immuoabsorbent assay (ELISA) and apoptosis was detected by TUNEL. Results Compared with the asthma group, the count of EOS and the levels of GM-CSF increased (P0.01 or P.05) in the group of asthma with spleen-deficiency (A1). Compared with both A1 and B1, the levels of GM-CSF remarkably increased (P 0.01) in both acupuncture groups (A2, B2). Compared with B1, the levels of TGF-β in BALF remarkably increased in acupuncture group of asthma (P0.05). Conclusion Inflammatory reaction of airway aggravated by spleen deficiency is through regulating factor density of inflammatory cell. Acupuncture at Zusanli can regulate the concentration of TGF-β and GM-CSF in BALF of rat model with asthma.