电针足三里和阳陵泉穴对家兔胃胆运动及脑肠肽的影响

Regulatory effect of electroacupuncture at auriculo-body acupoints on the functions of the biliary system and actions of the vagus nerve

AIM: To study the mechanism of electroacupuncture at auriculo-body acupoints in treating disorders of the biliary system and the actions of the vagus nerve in regulating biliary functions.

METHODS: A rabbit model of common bile duct stones was created. The influence of the vagus nerve on the functions of the biliary system was evaluated using bile current capacity, biliary duct pressure, and Oddi sphincter myoelectricity. The changes in these parameters were observed after electroacupuncture at a frequency of 20 Hz for 30 minutes at "Yi-Dan" area, Auriculo-acupoint and "Danshu".

RESULTS: A pathological increase in bile current capacity, biliary duct pressure, and Oddi sphincter myoelectricity was observed in rabbits with common bile duct stones. Oddi sphincter myoelectricity was transformed from orderly electric discharge into disorder and paroxysmal discharge. Electroacupuncture at ear-body acupoints further increased bile current capacity. The myotensity of the Oddi sphincter was decreased and myoelectricity was restored into rhythmicity. The regulatory effect of electroacupuncture at ear-body acupoints on biliary duct functions was not obvious in rabbits whose vagus nerve was removed. Increased bile current capacity and reduced biliary duct pressure were observed 30 minutes after stopping electroacupuncture.

CONCLUSION: The integrity of the vagus nerve is necessary for maintaining the normal functions of the biliary system in rabbits. Electroacupuncture at ear-body acupoints regulates biliary duct function mainly through modulating the vagus nerve.

Correlation between the brain-gut interaction and acupuncture treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders

Acupuncture has been proven to be effective in treating functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), which are common digestive diseases. Recent studies have proven that dysfunction of the "Brain-Gut-Axis" (BGA) might be an important pathogenetic factor for FGIDs. The curative effect of acupuncture on FGIDs could mainly be attributed to its modulation effect on the BGA. Increasing attention has been paid to the study of the interaction between the central nervous system and brain-gut peptide in patients with FGIDs due to the development of functional imaging and the progress in research of the brain-gut peptide. Acupuncture has been extensively used in treating FGIDs clinically. Substantial studies have shown that acupuncture could modulate the central nervous system and the brain-gut peptide. In this article we are going to summarize the correlation between the brain-gut interaction and the curative effect of acupuncture in terms of central nervous system and the metabolism of brain-gut peptide.

Motilin levels and evaluation of gastrointestinal function

Motilin, first discovered by Brown in 1966, is a 22-amino acid polypeptide hormone secreted by Mo cells in a regular and cyclic pattern during the interdigestive period. The main function of motilin is to increase the migrating myoelectric complex component of gastrointestinal motility and stimulate the production of pepsin. This article gives an overview of the physiological function of motilin and summarizes the latest advances in understanding the relationship between motilin levels and evaluation of gastrointestinal function.

Use of Jiangqi Hewei Tongfu method to improve the postoperative quality of life in patients with gastric cancer

AIM: To observe the efficacy of Jiangqi Hewei Tongfu method in improving the postoperative quality of life in patients with gastric cancer.

METHODS: One hundred and eight patients were randomly and equally divided into 3 groups: control group, Chinese medicine group, and acupuncture group. The control group received only conventional therapy postoperatively. The Chinese medicine group not only underwent conventional therapy but also were treated with Simotang oral liquid (three times daily for 10 d). The acupuncture group underwent both conventional therapy and acupuncture treatment (once a day for 10 d).

RESULTS: On day 10 after treatment, the recovery of gastrointestinal function was more significant in the acupuncture group and the Chinese medicine group than in the control group (χ² = 18.583, P < 0.05) though there was no significant difference between the acupuncture group and Chinese medicine group (χ² = 4.348, P > 0.05). There was significant difference in the number of leukocytes among the three groups (F = 3.74, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group and Chinese medicine group, the percentages of lymphocytes and neutrophils were significantly improved in the acupuncture group on day 10 (χ² = 10.8 and 8.248; both P < 0.05). No significant differences were noted in red blood cell (RBC) count and hemoglobin (HB) among the three groups (both P > 0.05). The score of digestive system symptoms and ZPS were significantly different among the three groups (F = 11.904 and 3.499; both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Chinese medicine and acupuncture can not only promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function and improve the quality of life but also regulate bidirectionally the number of lymphocytes and neutrophils in postoperative gastric cancer patients.