Researchers conclude that acupuncture may benefit the immune system. Zusanli (Chinese: 足三里, ST36) is an acupoint most frequently used of all acupuncture points. Researchers from the Hubei University of Chinese Medicine used electroacupuncture(2–15 Hz) at the ST36 to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on the immune function of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The rats were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a non-acupoint group (abdominal muscle acupuncture) and a ST36 acupoint group. The results showed that successive electroacupuncture at the ST36 acupoint for 3 d significantly enhanced the expression level of CD4 in spleen cells. [1] These observations indicated that electroacupuncture stimulation at the ST36 acupoint increased the level of immune cytokines and splenic CD4+ T cells through TRPV channels in this system.
1. Chen, Longyun, Anli Xu, Nina Yin, Min Zhao, Zhigang Wang, Tao Chen, Yisheng Gao, and Zebin Chen. “Enhancement of immune cytokines and splenic CD4+ T cells by electroacupuncture at ST36 acupoint of SD rats.” PloS one 12, no. 4 (2017): e0175568.