AIM: To discuss the protective effect of electroacupunc-ture at the Foot-Yangming Meridian on gastric muco-sal lesion, somatostatin (SS) and the expression of SS receptor genes (SSRimRNA ) in rabbits with gastric ulcer and to further explore the relative specificity of meridians and viscera at gene expression level. METHODS: Forty rabbits were randomly divided into control group (A), gastric ulcer model group (B), Foot-Yangming Meridian group (C), Foot-Shaoyang Meridian group (D) and Foot-Taiyang Meridian group (E). The gastric ulcer model was prepared by infusing alcohol into stomach. Groups C-E were treated with electro-acupuncture at points along the above meridians using meridian stimulating instruments for 7 days respectively. By the end of treatment, the index of gastric ulcer was determined, the amount of epidermal growth factor(EGF) and somatostatin was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). SS-RimRNA expression in gastric mucosa was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The value of EGF in model group was obviously lower(73.6±14.8 vs 91.3±14.9 pg/mL, P<0.01) than that in control group. The index of gastric ulcer, content of SS and expression of SSRimRNA in gastric mucosa were significantly higher than those in control group (24.88±6.29 vs 8.50±2.98 scores, P<0.01; 2978.6±587.6 vs 1852.4±361.7 mIU/mL, P<0.01; 2.56±0.25 vs 1.04±0.36, P<0.01) . The value of EGF in Foot-Yangming Meridian group was higher than that in model group(92.2±6.7 vs 73.6±14.8 pg/mL, P<0.01). The index of gastric ulcer, content of SS and expression of SS-R1mRNA in gastric mucosa were significantly lower than those in control group(10.88±3.23 vs 24.88±6.29 scores, P< 0.01; 1800.2±488 vs 2978.6±587.6 mIU/mL, P<0.01; 1.07±0.08 vs 2.56±0.25mIU/mL, P<0.01). Compared to the model group, the content of SS and expression of SSRimRNA in gastric mucosa in Foot-Shaoyang Meridian group decreased (2441.0±488. vs 2978.6±587.6 mIU/mL, P<0.05;1.73±0.16 vs 2.56±0.25 mIU/mL, P<0.01). But the above parameters in Foot-Taiyang Meridian group did not improve and were significantly different from those in Foot-Yangming Meridian group (P<0.05) CONCLUSION: Electro-acupuncture at Foot-Yangming Meridian can protect gastric mocusa against injury. The mechanism may be releted to the regulation of brain-gut peptides and the expression of SSRimRNA. AIM: To discuss the protective effect of electroacupunc-ture at the Foot-Yangming Meridian on gastric muco-sal lesion, somatostatin (SS) and the expression of SS receptor genes (SSRimRNA) in rabbits with gastric ulcer and to further explore the relative specificity METHODS: Forty rabbits were randomly divided into control group (A), gastric ulcer model group (B), Foot-Yangming Meridian group (C), Foot-Shaoyang Meridian group (D) and Foot -Taiyang Meridian group (E). The gastric ulcer model was prepared by infusing alcohol into stomach. Groups CE were treated with electro-acupuncture at points along the above meridians using meridian stimulating instruments for 7 days respectively. By the end of treatment, the index of gastric ulcer was determined, the amount of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and somatostatin was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). SS-RimRNA expression in gastric mucosa was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The value of EGF The index of gastric ulcer, content of SS and expression of SSRimRNA in gastric mucosa were significantly higher than those in control group (73.6 ± 14.8 vs 91.3 ± 14.9 pg / mL, P <0.01) control group (24.88 ± 6.29 vs 8.50 ± 2.98 scores, P <0.01; 2978.6 ± 587.6 vs 1852.4 ± 361.7 mIU / mL, P <0.01; 2.56 ± 0.25 vs 1.04 ± 0.36, P <0.01) -Yangming Meridian group was higher than that in model group (92.2 ± 6.7 vs 73.6 ± 14.8 pg / mL, P <0.01). The index of gastric ulcer, content of SS and expression of SS-R1mRNA in gastric mucosa were significantly lower than those in control group (10.88 ± 3.23 vs 24.88 ± 6.29 scores, P <0.01; 1800.2 ± 488 vs 2978.6 ± 587.6 mIU / mL, P <0.01; 1.07 ± 0.08 vs 2.56 ± 0.25 mIU / mL, P <0.01). to the model group, the content of SS and expression of SSRimRNA in gastric mucosa in Foot-Shaoyang Meridian group decreased (2441.0 ± 488 vs 2978.6 ± 587.6 mIU / mL, P <0.05; 1.73 ± 0.16 vs 2.56 ± 0.25 mIU / mL , P <0.01). But the abo ve parameters in Foot-Taiyang Meridian group did not improve and were significantly different from those in Foot-Yangming Meridian group (P <0.05) CONCLUSION: Electro-acupuncture at Foot-Yangming Meridian can protect gastric mocusa against injury. The mechanism may be releted to the regulation of brain-gut peptides and the expression of SSRimRNA.