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BACKGROUND: Spleen deficiency in traditional Chinese medicine refers to the functional disorder of spleen, pancreas, intestines, and nervous system in mod medicine.OBJECTIVE: To test whether electro-acupuncture could alter basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) protein and mRNA expression in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of spleen deficiency rats.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The randomized, controlled, in vivo animal experiment was performed at the National Level-B Laboratory of Clinical Cell Molecule and Biology in Shenzhen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, between March and November in 2008.MATERIALS: Reserpine injection was produced by Guangdong Bangmin Pharmaceutical Co. Rhubarb extract granule preparation was produced by Guangdong Yifang Pharmaceutical. Huanqiu Brand sterile acupuncture pin was provided by Suzhou Acupuncture Supplies, China. Huatuo Brand electroacupuncture instrument (type SDZ-II) was purchased from Suzhou Medical Appliance Factory, China.METHODS: A total of 96 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to control (n = 32) and induction (n = 64) groups. Spleen deficiency was induced via intraperitoneal injection of reserpine and intragastric administration of rhubarb. The successful models were randomized into two groups: model and electro-acupuncture, with 32 rats in each group. Electro-acupuncture was administered at Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) acupoints using a condensation wave and rarefaction (condensation wave 15 Hz) at a strength of 6-15 V for 20 minutes, once per day. The appearance of a slight shiver in the corresponding locus was taken as the standard. According to electro- acupuncture time points, each group was assigned to four subgroups at 7, 14, 28, and 49 days, respectively, with eight rats in each subgroup. Immunohistochemical staining, image analysis, and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction were performed at different time points.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: bFGF protein and mRNA expression in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of spleen deficiency rats.RESULTS: After 7 days of electro-acupuncture therapy, bFGF protein and mRNA expression significantly increased compared with the model and control groups (P < 0.05). After 14 days, bFGF protein and mRNA expression decreased until 28 days, where levels were then equal to the model group and greater than the control group (P < 0.05). After 49 days, the above indices remained increased in the electro-acupuncture group compared to the model and control groups (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Continuous electro-acupuncture maintained a high level of bFGF protein and mRNA expression in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of spleen deficiency rats.