Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of acupunc ture with dexamethasone(A.Dex)on allergic rhini tis(AR)by injecting dexamethasone into the Zusan li(ST 36)acupoint.METHODS:Thirty 6-week-old female BALB/c mice were sensitized on days 1,5,and 14 by intraperitoneal injection of 100 pg of ovalbumin(OVA).The mice were then randomly divided into six groups(n =5 in each group).Five groups were sensitized intranasally with 2μL of 1.5 mg of OVA for 10 consecutive days,while one group was sensitized intranasally with PBS in a similar manner as a negative control group.One hour before each administration of intranasal OVA,two groups were orally administered either a control vehicle(distilled water;AR control group)or 200 pg/kg Dex(O.Dex group),while three groups received A.Dex at Zusanli(ST36)with Dex concentrations of 2,20,and 200μg/kg for each group,respectively.AR symptoms were evaluated by measuring the rubbing score,which comprised the number of nose,ear,and eye rubs that occurred in the initial 10 min after OVA intranasal provocation on the 10 th day.We isolated spleen,serum,and nasal mucosal tissue after measuring the rubbing score.Spleen weight was measured using an electronic microbalance.The levels of IgE,thymic stromal lymphopoietin,tumor necrosis factor-a,intercellular adhesion molecule-1,and macrophage-inflammatory protein-2 in serum or nasal mucosal tissue were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.The serum histamine levels of OVA-sensitized AR mice were measured using O-phthaldialdehyde spectrofluorometry.Western blot analysis was performed on nasal mucosal tissue extracts.RESULTS:A.Dex significantly reduced the rubbing score,spleen weight,serum IgE,and serum histamine in OVA-sensitized mice.A.Dex significantly decreased the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines(thymic stromal lymphopoietin and tumor necrosis factor-a)in OVA-sensitized mice.A.Dex significantly reduced the nasal mucosal levels of inflammatory markers(intercellular adhesion molecule-land macrophage-inflammatory protein-2)in AR mice.A.Dex effectively attenuated the expression of caspase-1 and receptorinteractingprotein-2 in nasal mucosal tissue.CONCLUSION:A.Dex may be a new and useful therapy for AR.

Key words: Dexamethasone, Point ST36(Zusanli), Pharmaceutical research, Acupuncture, Rhinitis,allergic, Ovalbumin, Thymic stromal lymphopoietin