To observe the effect of acupuncture at Zusanli in various depths on the mechanism of the treatment and on improving immune function of the rats with chronic gastritis. Methods:There were 44 rats randomized into a control group, a model group, a shallow-needling group and a deep-needling group. A chronic gastritis rats' model was set up using iodine acetamide solution. The control group received no intervention. For the model group, the rats were fastened without any acupuncture. After insertion in the deep-needling and the shallow-needling group, the serum gastrin, interleukin content and pH value of gastric juice, the weight changed and the stomach bleeding spots in all 4 groups were observed. Results:In comparison with the control group, the serum gastrin concentration decreased in the model group, and the serum gastrin concentration in the deep-needling group significantly increased compared with that in the model group (P<0.01). The serum gastrin concentration of deep-needling group increased more than that of shallow-needling group; there was no statistically significant difference in both the concentration of interleukin IL-1β and the pH value in the control group, the model group，the deep-needling group and the shallow-needling group (P>0.05). Conclusion:Acupuncture in rats at the Zusanli acupoint deeply into the muscle layer, compared with shallowly at the subcutaneous level, has a more obvious stimulation on the body's serum gastrin release function; meanwhile, there is no significant influence on regulation of rats with chronic gastritis and gastric juice concentration of serum interleukin pH by acupuncture in rats at the Zusanli acupoint.