Comparison of Electroacupuncture and Moxibustion for Relieving Visceral Hypersensitivity in Rats with Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Chuan-Zi Dou,Yu-Wei Li,Yin Shi,Chun-Hui Bao,Liu Chen,Huan-Gan Wu,Lu-Yi Wu,Hai-Xia Shang,Ji-Meng Zhao,Ci-Li Zhou

doi:10.1155/2016/9410505

Abstract

Aim. To compare whether there is different effect between electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion (Mox) on visceral hypersensitivity (their analgesic effects) in constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS). Methods. EA at 1 mA and 3 mA and Mox at 43°C and 46°C were applied to the Shangjuxu (ST37, bilateral) acupoint in rats with C-IBS and normal rats. An abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) score was used to assess visceral hypersensitivity. Toluidine blue staining was used to assess mast cell (MC) activity in colon of rats. Immunochemistry was used to measure 5-HT and 5-HT4 receptor expression in the colon. Results. AWR scores in all EA (1 mA and 3 mA) and Mox (43°C and 46°C) treatment groups after colorectal distention (CRD) stimulation pressure of 20, 40, 60, and 80 mmHg were significantly lower than those of the model (MC) group (P all < 0.01). The MC counts and degranulation rates in the colon of all EA and Mox treatment groups and the MC group were significantly higher than those of the NC group (P all < 0.01). MC degranulation rates in the colon of all EA and Mox treatment groups were lower than those of the MC group (P all < 0.05). 5-HT expression in colon of all EA and Mox treatment groups was significantly lower than that of the MC group (P all < 0.01), and 5-HT4R expression in colon of both EA groups was significantly higher than that of the MC group (P both < 0.01). Conclusion. EA and Mox treatments may both ameliorate visceral hypersensitivity at different degree in rats with C-IBS, and EA treatment was better than Mox.

Highlights

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder featuring abdominal discomfort or pain associated with abnormal bowel movements
In the pathogenesis and clinical study of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS), 5-HT, 5-HT4R, and mast cell (MC) become the focus of research in the modern medical field. 5-HT is an important neurotransmitter and paracrine signaling molecule in the gastrointestinal tract which may directly or indirectly regulate reflective gastrointestinal motor and secretory functions and modulate intestinal pain perception under certain conditions [5, 6]. 5-HT4R is an important 5-HT receptor involved in regulating intestinal function
Group at 60 mmHg were significantly different from the NC group (P both < 0.05). These data suggested that EA and Mox treatments were able to decrease visceral hypersensitivity or increase the pain threshold at different degree, but EA was better than Mox treatment (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder featuring abdominal discomfort or pain associated with abnormal bowel movements. The pathology of C-IBS is complicated but current data suggest it to be mainly caused by altered gut motility and visceral hypersensitivity [2,3,4]. 5-HT is an important neurotransmitter and paracrine signaling molecule in the gastrointestinal tract which may directly or indirectly regulate reflective gastrointestinal motor and secretory functions and modulate intestinal pain perception under certain conditions [5, 6]. 5-HT4R is an important 5-HT receptor involved in regulating intestinal function. Activation of 5-HT4R may influence intestinal sensitivity and motility by stimulating nerve endings to release acetylcholine, or by directly targeting smooth muscle functions [7]. As a type of mechanical stimulation, acupuncture works by piercing metal needles into different acupoints by certain depths and stimulating manipulations such as lifting, thrusting, and twirling way. Moxibustion is a thermal stimulation in which burning moxa produces thermal stimulation to the human

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