OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of acupuncture combined withgranule on breast tissue, prolactin(PRL) and prolactin receptor (PRLR) expression in rats with mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH), and to explore its action mechanism to provide reference for clinical treatment of MGH.

METHODSFifty-five female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, an acupuncture group, a Rule granule group and a combination group. Except the blank group, the rats in the remaining groups were treated with combined stimulation of estrogenic and progestational hormone to establish MGH model. After model establishment, the rats in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at Plan A of "Tianzong" (SI 11), "Ganshu" (BL 18), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and Plan B of "Wuyi" (ST 15), "Hegu" (LI 4), "Danzhong" (CV 17). Each plan was selected for one acupuncture treatment, and two plans were used alternately. The rats in the Rule granule group were treated with oral administration of granule, 3 mL per times. The rats in the combination group were treated with the samegranule, followed by acupuncture, once a day. After consecutive 30-day treatment, blood sample was collected from abdominal aorta; ELISA method was applied to measure the contents of PRL; the HE slice of mammary gland was observed under light microscope; the SABC immunohistochemical method was applied to measure the positive expression of PRLR.

RESULTSThe morphology of breast tissue in the model group was consistent with MGH. Compared with the blank group, the serum PRL and the expression of PRLR were increased significantly in the model group (both<0.01). Compared with the model group, the hyperplasia of mammary gland in each treatment group was improved, and serum PRL and expression of PRLR were significantly reduced (<0.05,<0.01), which were more significant in the combination group (both<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture,granule and its combination could effectively treat MGH, which is likely to reduce the level of serum PRL and inhibit the binding of PRL to PRLR, as a result, the level of Eis indirectly inhibited, and the hyperplastic mammary gland is recovered. Compared with acupuncture orgranule, the combination of both has better overall efficacy.