OBJECTIVETo study on the inhibitory action of combined acupuncture and medicine therapy on the model rat of hyperplasia of mammary glands and the mechanism.

METHODSThe model rat of hyperplasia of mammary glands were prepared. After modelling, they were randomly divided into an acupuncture group, a Chinese drug group and a combined acupuncture and drug group, a control group and a model group. Except both the control group and the model group, other 4 groups were treated respectively with acupuncture, Chinese drug, combined acupuncture and Chinese drug, and Premormine, once each day, 9 sessions constituting one course. After treatment of 3 courses (30 days), changes of the breast tissue form were observed, and the diameter and the area of the acina cavity were determined and expressions of estrogen receptor subgroups (ERalpha and ERbeta) were detected with immunohistochamical methods.

RESULTSThe diameter and the area of the acina cavity were increased in the model group as compared with those in the normal group (both P < 0.01), and in the treatment group they were decreased as compared with those in the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01)); both acupuncture and Chinese drug could up-regulate the expression of ERbeta and down-regulate the expression of ERalpha.

CONCLUSIONBoth acupuncture and moxibustion, and Chinese medicine have inhibitory action on hyperplasia of mammary glands in the rat, with the strongest inhibitory action of the combined acupuncture and medicine treatment which is basically close to the level of Premormine. The mechanism is possily related with the up-regulation of ERbeta expression and down-regulation of ERalpha expression.