Electroacupuncture diminishes P2X_2 and P2X_3 purinergic receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia of rats with visceral hypersensitivity

Electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu （ST37） and Tianshu （ST25） can improve visceral hypersensitivity in rats. Colorectal distension was used to establish a rat model of chronic visceral hypersensitivity. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia from rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity. Results demonstrated that abdominal withdrawal reflex scores obviously increased following establishment of the model, indicating visceral hypersensitivity. Simultaneously, P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression increased in dorsal root ganglia. After bilateral electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu and Tianshu, abdominal withdrawal reflex scores and P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression decreased in rats with visceral hypersensitivity. These results indicated that electroacupuncture treatment improved visceral hypersensitivity in rats with irritable bowel syndrome by reducing P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia.

Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Chinese Medicine:A Review

Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)is a common refractory disease.Chinese medicine(CM)has remarkable efficacy and advantages on the treatment of IBS.This review summarized the articles focusing on the treatment of IBS with CM to sum up the latest treatment methods for IBS and the underlying mechanisms.Literature analysis showed that prescriptions,acupuncture,and moxibustion are the primary methods of CM treatment for IBS.The potential mechanisms center on the regulation of the enteric nervous system,the alleviation of visceral hypersensitivity,the stability of intestinal flora,and the regulation of the immune system.