Electroacupuncture at ST37 Enhances Jejunal Motility via Excitation of the Parasympathetic System in Rats and Mice.

Mengqian Yuan,Na Zhang,Zhi Yu,Xuanming Hu,Yidan Wang,Bing Zhu,Yin Yin,Bin Xu,Yuqin Li

doi:10.1155/2016/3840230

Abstract

Background. The roles of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems in mediating the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at ST37 on jejunal motility have yet to be demonstrated. Aim. We used rats and mice to investigate the effect and mechanism of action of EA at ST37 on jejunal motility. Methods. Jejunal motility was recorded by a balloon placed in the jejunum and connected to a biological signal collection system through a transducer. The effects of EA (3 mA) at ST37 were evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats without drugs and with the administration of clenbuterol, propranolol, acetylcholine, and atropine. Further, the efficacy of EA at different intensities (1/2/4/6/8 mA) was measured in wild-type mice and β 1 β 2 −/− mice and M2M3 −/− mice. Results. In Sprague-Dawley rats, the excitatory effect of EA at ST37 on jejunal motility disappeared in the presence of the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine. EA at ST37 was less effective in M2M3 −/− mice than in wild-type mice. Furthermore, to a certain extent, there existed “intensity-response” relationship between jejunal motility and EA. Conclusions. EA at ST37 can enhance jejunal motility in rats and mice mainly via excitation of the parasympathetic pathway. There is an “intensity-response” relationship between EA and effect on jejunal motility.

Highlights

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapeutic technique in which sharp, thin needles are inserted into specific points on the body to restore homeostatic balance [1]
Following EA at ST37 in the presence of clenbuterol, jejunal pressure increased significantly from 0.19 ± 0.07 kPa pressure before EA (pre-EA) to 0.24 ± 0.08 kPa during EA (dur-EA) (P < 0.01) and, in the presence of EA (3 mA, 2 min) propranolol, jejunal pressure increased from 0.38 ± 0.08 kPa pre-EA to 0.43 ± 0.09 kPa dur-EA
In this study we investigated whether the effect of EA at ST37 on jejunal motility was primarily via excitation of the parasympathetic pathway and inhibition of the sympathetic pathway

Summary

Introduction

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapeutic technique in which sharp, thin needles are inserted into specific points on the body to restore homeostatic balance [1]. Acupuncture possesses credible therapeutic efficacy on gastrointestinal dysfunction [7, 8], but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Several studies have shown that acupuncture stimulation regulates gastrointestinal motility primarily via autonomic nervous reflexes [11,12,13]. The roles of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems in mediating the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at ST37 on jejunal motility have yet to be demonstrated. Aim. We used rats and mice to investigate the effect and mechanism of action of EA at ST37 on jejunal motility. In Sprague-Dawley rats, the excitatory effect of EA at ST37 on jejunal motility disappeared in the presence of the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine. EA at ST37 can enhance jejunal motility in rats and mice mainly via excitation of the parasympathetic pathway. There is an “intensity-response” relationship between EA and effect on jejunal motility

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion