Xianwei Zhu1, Zhibin Liu1,2, Wenmin Niu1,2, Yuan Wang1, Aimin Zhang3, Hongyan Qu2, Jing Zhou4, Lu Bai5, Yong Yang6, Jie Li2. 1. Innovation Research Centre of Acupuncture Combined with Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an-Xianyang New Ecomic Zone, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, China. 2. Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an-Xianyang New Ecomic Zone, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, China. 3. Department of Urologic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an-Xianyang New Ecomic Zone, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, China. 4. College of Public Hygiene, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an-Xianyang New Ecomic Zone, Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, China. 5. Department of English, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an-Xianyang New Ecomic Zone, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. 6. College of Basic Medicine, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an-Xianyang New Ecomic Zone, Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) may have a role in the treatment of diarrhoea symptoms. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter and paracrine signalling molecule in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which initiates peristaltic, secretory, vasodilatory, vagal and nociceptive reflexes. In addition, according to the results of our previous report, EA stimulation mediates GI peristalsis by increasing expression of 5-HT and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH). AIM: To investigate the effect of EA at acupuncture points ST25 and BL25 in a rat model of diarrhoea. METHODS: A diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) model was induced by Folium Sennae in 24 rats, which remained untreated (n=6) or received EA at ST25 (n=6), BL25 (n=6) or the combination of ST25 and BL25 (n=6). A control group of healthy rats was also included (n=6). After treatment, changes in loose stool and small intestine transit rates, enterochromaffin (EC) cell number, expression of TPH, and faecal/colonic 5-HT contents were measured. RESULTS: Loose stool and small intestine transit rates, EC cell numbers, colonic TPH expression and faecal/colonic 5-HT content of IBS-D rats were significantly increased relative to controls (p<0.05) and all these parameters were improved by EA at ST25, BL25, or ST25 and BL25 in combination (all p<0.05 vs untreated IBS-D rats). CONCLUSIONS: EA at ST25 and/or BL25 had a positive effect on objective markers of diarrhoea in a IBS-D rat model and induced changes in EC cell number, colonic TPH and 5-HT contents. The effects of EA stimulation at ST25/BL25 on IBS-D rats may be mediated by excitation of sympathetic nerves. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.
BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) may have a role in the treatment of diarrhoea symptoms. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter and paracrine signalling molecule in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which initiates peristaltic, secretory, vasodilatory, vagal and nociceptive reflexes. In addition, according to the results of our previous report, EA stimulation mediates GI peristalsis by increasing expression of 5-HT and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH). AIM: To investigate the effect of EA at acupuncture points ST25 and BL25 in a rat model of diarrhoea. METHODS: A diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) model was induced by Folium Sennae in 24 rats, which remained untreated (n=6) or received EA at ST25 (n=6), BL25 (n=6) or the combination of ST25 and BL25 (n=6). A control group of healthy rats was also included (n=6). After treatment, changes in loose stool and small intestine transit rates, enterochromaffin (EC) cell number, expression of TPH, and faecal/colonic 5-HT contents were measured. RESULTS: Loose stool and small intestine transit rates, EC cell numbers, colonic TPH expression and faecal/colonic 5-HT content of IBS-D rats were significantly increased relative to controls (p<0.05) and all these parameters were improved by EA at ST25, BL25, or ST25 and BL25 in combination (all p<0.05 vs untreated IBS-D rats). CONCLUSIONS: EA at ST25 and/or BL25 had a positive effect on objective markers of diarrhoea in a IBS-D rat model and induced changes in EC cell number, colonic TPH and 5-HT contents. The effects of EA stimulation at ST25/BL25 on IBS-D rats may be mediated by excitation of sympathetic nerves. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.