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Nojkov B, Burnett C, Watts L, Yin J, Ali K, Zhao T, Gong S, Miller C, Habrowski M, Chey WD, Chen JDZ. The impact of transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) on rectal distension-induced pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-A study to determine the optimal TEA delivery modalities and effects on rectal sensation and autonomic function. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2024; 36:e14799. [PMID: 38671591 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment options for abdominal pain in IBS are inadequate. TEA was reported effective treatment of disorders of gut-brain interaction but its mechanism of action and optimal delivery method for treating pain in IBS are unknown. This study aims to determine the most effective TEA parameter and location to treat abdominal pain in patients with IBS-Constipation and delineate the effect of TEA on rectal sensation and autonomic function. METHODS Nineteen IBS-C patients underwent TEA at acupoints ST36 (leg), PC6 (wrist), or sham-acupoint. Each patient was studied in five randomized sessions on separate days: (1) TEA/ST36-100 Hz; (2) TEA/ST36-25 Hz; (3) TEA/PC6-100 Hz; (4) TEA/PC6-25 Hz; (5) TEA/Sham-25 Hz. In each session, barostat-guided rectal distention (RD) was performed before and after TEA. Patients graded the RD-induced pain and recorded three rectal sensation thresholds. A heart rate variability (HRV) signal was derived from the electrocardiogram for autonomic function assessment. KEY RESULTS Studied patients were predominantly female, young, and Caucasian. Compared with baseline, patients treated with TEA/ST36-100 Hz had significantly decreased pain scores at RD pressure-points 20-50 mmHg (p < 0.04). The average pain reduction was 40%. Post-treatment scores did not change significantly with other TEA modalities except with sham-TEA (lesser degree compared to ST36-100 Hz, p = 0.04). TEA/ST36-100, but not other modalities, increased the rectal sensation threshold (first sensation: p = 0.007; urge to defecate: p < 0.026). TEA/ST36-100 Hz was the only treatment that significantly decreased sympathetic activity and increased parasympathetic activity with and without RD (p < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES TEA at ST36-100 Hz is superior stimulation point/parameter, compared to TEA at PC-6/sham-TEA, to reduce rectal distension-induced pain in IBS-C patients. This therapeutic effect appears to be mediated through rectal hypersensitivity reduction and autonomic function modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borko Nojkov
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Lydia Watts
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jieyun Yin
- Transtimulation Research Inc., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Khawar Ali
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Shiyuan Gong
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Zhou JZ, Chen H, Xu WL, Fu Z, Zhou S, Zhu WJ, Zhang ZH. Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation Inhibited Central Nerve Growth Factor/Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase A/Phospholipase C-Gamma Signaling Pathway in Functional Dyspepsia Model Rats With Gastric Hypersensitivity. Neuromodulation 2024; 27:273-283. [PMID: 36801128 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2023.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Functional dyspepsia (FD), which has a complicated pathophysiologic process, is a common functional gastrointestinal disease. Gastric hypersensitivity is the key pathophysiological factor in patients with FD with chronic visceral pain. Auricular vagal nerve stimulation (AVNS) has the therapeutic effect of reducing gastric hypersensitivity by regulating the activity of the vagus nerve. However, the potential molecular mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of AVNS on the brain-gut axis through the central nerve growth factor (NGF)/ tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA)/phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-γ) signaling pathway in FD model rats with gastric hypersensitivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS We established the FD model rats with gastric hypersensitivity by means of colon administration of trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid on ten-day-old rat pups, whereas the control rats were given normal saline. AVNS, sham AVNS, K252a (an inhibitor of TrkA, intraperitoneally), and K252a + AVNS were performed on eight-week-old model rats for five consecutive days. The therapeutic effect of AVNS on gastric hypersensitivity was determined by the measurement of abdominal withdrawal reflex response to gastric distention. NGF in gastric fundus and NGF, TrkA, PLC-γ, and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in the nucleus tractus solitaries (NTS) were detected separately by polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunofluorescence tests. RESULTS It was found that a high level of NGF in gastric fundus and an upregulation of the NGF/TrkA/PLC-γ signaling pathway in NTS were manifested in model rats. Meanwhile, both AVNS treatment and the administration of K252a not only decreased NGF messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expressions in gastric fundus but also reduced the mRNA expressions of NGF, TrkA, PLC-γ, and TRPV1 and inhibited the protein levels and hyperactive phosphorylation of TrkA/PLC-γ in NTS. In addition, the expressions of NGF and TrkA proteins in NTS were decreased significantly after the immunofluorescence assay. The K252a + AVNS treatment exerted a more sensitive effect on regulating the molecular expressions of the signal pathway than did the K252a treatment. CONCLUSION AVNS can regulate the brain-gut axis effectively through the central NGF/TrkA/PLC-γ signaling pathway in the NTS, which suggests a potential molecular mechanism of AVNS in ameliorating visceral hypersensitivity in FD model rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Zhu Zhou
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Huan Chen
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wan-Li Xu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhe Fu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuai Zhou
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei-Jian Zhu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhao-Hui Zhang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Jiang L, Zhang S, Zhang N, Chen JDZ. Optimized Tibial Nerve Stimulation Partially Reduces Visceral Hypersensitivity in Rats Mediated via Autonomic and Opioid Mechanisms. Neuromodulation 2021; 24:1003-1011. [PMID: 33615647 DOI: 10.1111/ner.13378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect and possible mechanisms of tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) on visceral hypersensitivity in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS 1) The effects of TNS with five sets of parameters on visceral sensitivity in normal rats were evaluated by the assessment of abdominal electromyogram (EMG) and abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR). 2) The effects and mechanisms of TNS with a special set of parameters (14 Hz, 330 μsec, and 40% motor threshold) were evaluated in acute visceral hypersensitivity rats induced by restraint stress and colonic hypersensitized rats induced by acetic acid during the neonatal stage assessed by the EMG, AWR, and the spectral analysis of heart rate variability derived from the electrocardiogram. RESULTS 1) In normal rats, TNS did not show any effect on the visceromotor reflex. 2) In rats with restraint stress-induced hypersensitivity, TNS with the special set of parameters reduced AWR scores and EMG responses to rectal distention at a pressure of 20-60 mmHg (p < 0.05, vs. baseline for both AWR and EMG). Concurrently, TNS increased vagal activity and decreased sympathetic activity (p < 0.03 for both). 3) Similar effects were noted on the EMG (p < 0.05, vs. baseline) and AWR (p < 0.05 vs. baseline) with acute and chronic TNS in rats with chronic colonic hypersensitivity and the effects were blocked by naloxone. CONCLUSIONS TNS with parameters of 14 Hz, 330 μsec, and 40% motor threshold is effective in improving visceral hypersensitivity in rodent models of colonic hypersensitivity via the modulation of autonomic and opioid mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuqin Jiang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, China
| | - Shengai Zhang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nina Zhang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jiande D Z Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Ouyang X, Li S, Zhou J, Chen JDZ. Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Gastric Hypersensitivity via Adrenergic Pathway in a Rat Model of Functional Dyspepsia. Neuromodulation 2020; 23:1137-1143. [DOI: 10.1111/ner.13154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Ouyang
- Veterans Research and Education Foundation, Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK USA
- Institute of Geriatrics, Jiangsu Province Official Hospital Nanjing Jiangsu China
| | - Shiying Li
- Veterans Research and Education Foundation, Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA
| | - Jingzhu Zhou
- Veterans Research and Education Foundation, Oklahoma City VA Health Care System OK USA
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing Jiangsu China
| | - Jiande DZ Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA
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Oliva-Pascual-Vaca Á, González-González C, Oliva-Pascual-Vaca J, Piña-Pozo F, Ferragut-Garcías A, Fernández-Domínguez JC, Heredia-Rizo AM. Visceral Origin: An Underestimated Source of Neck Pain. A Systematic Scoping Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2019; 9:diagnostics9040186. [PMID: 31726685 PMCID: PMC6963844 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics9040186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of neck pain is challenging. Many visceral disorders are known to cause it, and clinical practice guidelines recommend to rule them out during neck pain diagnosis. However, the absence of suspicion of any cause impedes one from establishing that specific aetiology as the final diagnosis. To investigate the degree of consideration given to visceral aetiology, a systematic search of trials about neck pain was carried out to evaluate their selection criteria. The search yielded 309 eligible articles, which were screened by two independent reviewers. The PEDro scale score was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. The following information was retrieved: number of authors affiliated to a clinical or non-clinical institution, number of citations in the Web of Science, study aims, characteristics of participants, and eligibility criteria. The top 15 most cited trials, and the 15 most recent studies about treatment efficacy in neck pain, published in first quartile journals of the Journal Citation Reports, were selected. Females represented 67.5% of participants. A single study was of poor methodological quality (4/10). Based on the eligibility criteria of the articles that were systematically reviewed, it would appear that visceral aetiology was not considered in eighty percent of the trials on neck pain, showing a low level of suspicion both in research and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel Oliva-Pascual-Vaca
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Sevilla, 41009 Sevilla, Spain; (Á.O.-P.-V.); (C.G.-G.); (A.M.H.-R.)
| | - Carlos González-González
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Sevilla, 41009 Sevilla, Spain; (Á.O.-P.-V.); (C.G.-G.); (A.M.H.-R.)
| | - Jesús Oliva-Pascual-Vaca
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Sevilla, 41009 Sevilla, Spain; (Á.O.-P.-V.); (C.G.-G.); (A.M.H.-R.)
- Escuela de Osteopatía de Madrid, 28002 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Physiotherapy, Universitary School of Osuna, University of Sevilla, 41640 Sevilla, Spain;
- Correspondence:
| | - Fernando Piña-Pozo
- Department of Physiotherapy, Universitary School of Osuna, University of Sevilla, 41640 Sevilla, Spain;
| | - Alejandro Ferragut-Garcías
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of the Balearic Islands, 07112 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; (A.F.-G.); (J.C.F.-D.)
| | - Juan Carlos Fernández-Domínguez
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of the Balearic Islands, 07112 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; (A.F.-G.); (J.C.F.-D.)
| | - Alberto Marcos Heredia-Rizo
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Sevilla, 41009 Sevilla, Spain; (Á.O.-P.-V.); (C.G.-G.); (A.M.H.-R.)
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