• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.331-348
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• 1998

Purpose: In order to study the therapeutic effect of TBR(Smilacis glabrae Rhizoma) aqua-acupuncture on the $HgCI_2$(mercury bichloride) intoxicated kidneys of rats. Methods: 10% TBR extract solution was aqua-punctured into the bilateral loci of Shin-su(BL23), every other day for 18 days, and the amount of leucocytes, erythrocytes, thrombocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin, serum BUN and creatinine levels were measured and renal mercury level and histopathological findings were studied as well. The experimental groups were into nonmaI group, control group, sample I group, sample II group and sample III group. Results: 1. There were not any significant changes of leucocytes, erythrocytes and serum creatinine level in the TBR aqua-acupuncture group, saline aqua-acupuncture group and TBR aqua-acupuncture group respectively as compared with control group. 2. It showed a significant increase of hematocrit and hemoglobin level in the TBR aqua-acupuncture group on the 8th experimental day as compared with the control group. 3. It showed a significant increase of platelet in the TBR aqua-acupuncture group on the 8th experimental day, whereas significant decreases on the 18th experimental day as compared with the control group. 4. It showed a significant decrease of serum BUN level in the TBR aqua-acupuncture group on the 8th and 18th experimental day as compared with the control group. 5. It showed a significant decrease of renal mercury level in the TBR aqua-acupuncture group on compared with the control group. 6. In the histopathological findings, TBR aqua-acupuncture group showed slight atrophy of the renal tubules, mitosis and regeneration of tubular lining cells with visible nuclei, whereas the control group showed acute tubular necrosis, especially severe necrosis of tubular epithelial cells. Conclusions: Smilacis glabrae Rhizoma aqua-acupuncture on injured kidneys Induced by HgCl2 Intoxication in Rats increases hematocrit, hemoglobin and platelet level, and decreases BUN, renal mercury level. This suggests that Smilacis glabrae Rhizoma aqua-acupuncture helps to recover kidney from HgCl2 intoxication.