The effectiveness of auriculoacupoint treatment for artificially induced acute hepatic injury in dogs.

This study was to investigate effects of auriculoacupoint (AAP) treatment on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute hepatic injury in ten dogs (four females and six males). Dogs have been divided into two groups: the control group (four dogs), not stimulated after induction of hepatic injury and the experimental group (six dogs), stimulated with AAP and massaged at the affected liver region of internal ear after induction of hepatic injury. Serum enzyme activities and histopathological findings were examined after the application of AAP. Compared to the control group, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in the experimental group were significantly decreased at the 4th day (p < 0.05) and at the 5th day (p < 0.05), respectively. Histopathological findings of the experimental group showed decrease of necrotic region and size of lipid droplets compared to the control group. In conclusion, AAP treatment had a therapeutic effect on the recovery of liver injury induced by CCl4 in dogs.