OBJECTIVEAs a new technique of biomedical imaging, the optical in vivo imaging has been used in many research fields of biological processes, such as analyzing gene expression pattern, observing action of drug target. For extending its application field, this technique is initially used to investigate the effect of acupuncture in this study.

METHODSSeven SPF mice were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (4 cases) and a control group (3 cases). Fluorescent labeling Cy7 (Tf-Cy7) and Doxorubicin (Dox) were injected into the caudal vein of the nude mice, respectively. With the.stabilized distribution of Tf-Cy7 and Dox in vivo, "Yaoyangguan" (GV 3) point was acupunctured in the acupuncture group. The animals in the control group were not acupunctured. Then, the fluorescent irradiance of Tf-Cy7 and Dox was displayed by the optical in vivo imaging, the effect of acupuncture was analyzed.

RESULTS(1) After acupuncture, the fluorescent intensity of Tf-Cy7 started to decrease in the blood-brain barrier and heart, but tended to increase in the liver and spleen, in which the highest intensity of Tf-Cy7 was demonstrated at 50 min during the acupuncture. It was obviously different from that of the control group. (2) The fluorescent intensity of Dox tended to increase in the brain and lung after 20 min of acupuncture, and reached the highest concentration at 30 min.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can influence the action of Tf-Cy7 targeting and distribution of Dox, which is clearly showed with the optical in vivo imaging. Thus, this technique provides a new approach for the acupuncture and meridian research.