Regulation of Electroacupuncture on Gastric Myoelectrial Activities: Monitered by Electrogastrograms

It is reported that acupuncture on some acupoints can enhance the regularity of gastric myoelectrical activities, which can be observed from the electrogastrograms (EEGs). In this paper, the electroacupuncture (EA) treatments were performed on subjects with slight gastric disorders and the EEGs were monitored in the meanwhile. The EEGs features of baseline, during and after EA treatments were analyzed. The results show that the EA treatments do enhance the regularity of EEGs. And a highly possible pattern for EA to attain the enhancement is to regulate the pacemaker quantity and propagation of slow waves rather than regulating the amplitude of slow waves.

Analysis of Electrogastrograms of Elderly Gastrectomized Subjects by Using Maximum Lyapunov Exponent

Not much data are available regarding the electrical activity in the stomachs and intestines of elderly gastrectomized patients The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using a complex dynamic method to analyze the electrogastrograms （EGGs） of healthy young, healthy elderly, and gastrectomized elderly male individuals. The authors analyzed the EGGs by using the maximum Lyapunov exponent （MLE）, which is one of the indices of the chaotic characteristics of time series. Significant differences were observed between the MLEs estimated from the, EGGs of the young and elderly individuals for most of the temporal intervals. The authors＇ data indicate that the EGGs of elderly gastrectomized subjects might be distinguished from the EGGs of healthy elderly individuals on the basis of the MLE distribution.

Effects of electroacupuncture on cardiac and gastric activities in acute myocardial ischemia rats

AIM： To observe the effect of electroacupuncture （EA） of ＂Neiguan＂ （PC6） and ＂Gongsun＂ （SP4） on pathological changes of the heart and stomach in rats with acute myocardial ischemia （AMI）, and to explore its underlying mechanism. METHODS： Fifty Wistar rats were randomized into control, model, PC6, SP4 and PC6 ＋ SP4 groups （n = 8 each group）. An AMI model was established by occlusion of the descending anterior branch （DAB） of the left coronary artery. ECG-ST of cervico-thoracic lead and electrogastrogram （EGG） were recorded. EA was applied to PC6, SP4 and PC6 ＋ SP4 groups, respectively. At the end of experiments, the rats were transcardicalty perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde, and the heart base myocardium, gastric antrum and duodenum tissues were sampled, sectioned and stained with a reduced form of nicotinamideadenine dinucleotide phosphate （NADPH）-diaphorase histochemical method for displaying nitric oxide synthase （NOS） activity. RESULTS： After AMI, ECG-ST values elevated. After EA, the elevated ECG-ST values at 20 min in PC6group, at 30 min in PC6 ＋ SP4 and SP4 groups had no significant differences in comparison with their respective basal values before AMI. Following AMI, the amplitude and frequency of slow waves of EGG decreased remarkably （P 〈 0.05）. At 30 min after EA, the mean amplitude and frequency of slow waves of EGG in the three EA groups had no marked differences compared with their individual basal levels and those in the control group. After AMI, the mean integral grey values of NOS-positive product in myocardium, gastric antrum and duodenum tissues in the model group increased remarkably in comparison with the control group, while those in three EA groups were lower than those in the model group. No significant differences were found in ECG-ST and EGG improvement among the three EA groups. However, EA of PC6 had a better effect on ECG-ST and EA of PC4 had a better effect on EGG, respectively. CONCLUSION： EA of PC6, SP4 and PC6 ＋ SP4 can significantly promote the recovery of cardiac and gastric electrical activities after AMI, and up-regulate NOS expression in myocardium, gastric antrum and duodenum tissues.

Electrical bioimpedance gastric motility measurement based on an electrical-mechanical composite mechanism

AIM： To introduce a bioimpedance gastric motility mea- surement method based on an electrical-mechanical composite concept and a preliminary clinical application. METHODS： A noninvasive gastric motility measure- ment method combining electrogastrograrn （EGG） and impedance gastric motility （IGM） test was used. Prelim- inary clinical application studies of patients with func- tional dyspepsia （FD） and gastritis, as well as healthy controls, were carried out. Twenty-eight FD patients （mean age 40.9±9.7 years） and 40 healthy volun- teers （mean age 30.9±7.9 years） were involved. IGM spectrum was measured for both the healthy subjects and FD patients, and outcomes were compared in the FD patients before treatment and 1 wk and 3 wk after treatment. IGM parameters were obtained from 30 erosive gastritis patients （mean age 50.5±13.0 years） and 40 healthy adults, and IGM and EGG results were compared in the gastritis patients before treatment and 1 wk after treatment.RESULTS： There were significant differences in the IGM parameters between the FD patients and healthy subjects, and FD patients had a poorer gastric motility [percentage of normal frequency （PNF） 70.8±25.5 in healthy subjects and 28.3 =t= 16.9 in FD patients, P 〈 0.01]. After 1 wk administration of domperidone 10 mg, tid, the gastric motility of FD patients was not im- proved, although the EGG of the patients had returned to normal. After 3 wk of treatment, the IGM rhythm of the FD patients became normal. There was a significant difference in IGM parameters between the two groups （PNF 70.4：1：25.5 for healthy subjects and 36.1 4- 21.8 for gastritis patients, P 〈 0.05）. The EGG rhythm of the gastritis patients returned to normal （frequency insta- bility coefficient 2.22±0.43 before treatment and 1.77 ：t： 0.19 one wk after treatment, P 〈 0.05） after 1 wk of treatment with sodium rabeprazole tablets, 10 mg, qd, po, qm, while some IGM parameters showed a tenden- cy toward improvement but had not reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION： The electrical-mechanical composite measurement method showed an attractive clinical appli- cation prospect in gastric motility research and evaluation.

Plasma levels of acylated ghrelin in patients with functional dyspepsia

AIM:To investigate the relationship between plasma acylated ghrelin levels and the pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia.METHODS:Twenty-two female patients with functional dyspepsia and twelve healthy volunteers were recruited for the study.The functional dyspepsia patients were each diagnosed based on the Rome Ⅲ criteria.Eligible patients completed a questionnaire concerning the severity of 10 symptoms.Plasma acylated ghrelin levels before and after a meal were determined in the study participants using a commercial human acylated enzyme immunoassay kit;electrogastrograms were performed for 50 min before and after a standardized 10-min meal containing 265 kcal.RESULTS:There were no significant differences in plasma acylated ghrelin levels between healthy volunteers and patients with functional dyspepsia.However,in patients with functional dyspepsia,there was a negative correlation between fasting plasma acylated ghrelin levels and the sum score of epigastric pain(r =-0.427,P = 0.047) and a positive correlation between the postprandial/fasting plasma acylated ghrelin ratio and the sum score of early satiety(r = 0.428,P =0.047).Additionally,there was a negative correlation between fasting acylated ghrelin plasma levels and fasting normogastria(%)(r =-0.522,P = 0.013).Interestingly,two functional dyspepsia patients showed paradoxically elevated plasma acylated ghrelin levels after the meal.CONCLUSION:Abnormal plasma acylated ghrelin levels before or after a meal may be related to several of the dyspeptic symptoms seen in patients with functional dyspepsia.

THE APPLICATION OF ELECTROGASTROGRAM TO TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

In this paper Electrogastrogram (EOG) was recorded in 40 normal subjects and100 patients suffered from gastroduodenal diseases. In 40 normal subjects, the average of amplitudeand frequency of EGG were 150-180 μV and 3 cycles/min respectively before eating, but after eatingthe amplitude was about 236.2 μV and the frequency was about 3.21 cycles/rain. EGG diagnosis of100 patients with gastralgia was conformed to the gastroscopic diagnosis, with the rate 84%. The re-lations between effects of acupuncture and Qigong, the PSC and the differentiation of syndromes ofTCM and EGG were explored.

A Moxa Stimulation on the Leg Affected the Function of Stomach via Autonomic Nerve System and Polymodal Receptors

The moxa therapy is a popular traditional hyperthermia therapy in East Asia. The moxa is made from dried mugwort (Artemisiaargyi). The moxa is usually put on a meridian point and then is burnt on to obtain a hyperthermic stimulation to the skin. However, very few researches have been studied in the effects and mechanism of the moxa therapy. Therefore, in this study, we gave the moxa stimulation to healthy subjects. In the moxa group, the moxa was lit on the ST36 (Zusanli: an acupuncture point in anterior tibialis of the leg) for 5 minutes. Their responses were traced with electrogastrogram (EGG) and assessed the change of gastric function. At the same time, their heart rate (HR) was recorded and observed to study the mechanism of moxa treatment. And then their results were compared with those of the control group. After the moxa stimulation, EGG showed significant increase and stayed 3.0 - 3.1 cpm while HR prominently decreased. On the other hand, the control group did not indicate such results. Those results are common to the re-sponse of acupuncture-like stimulation by the reflex arc which consists of receptor, sensory neuron, central nervous system, motor neuron and effector. It may be explained as below: the elements of the acupuncture-like stimulation and the moxa are pain and hyperthermia respectively and they both are received by polymodal receptors. Thus the moxa stimulation applied on ST36 may be ef-fective to enhance stomach function.

Instant effect of moxibustion at different points on electrogastrogram of patients with functional dyspepsia

Objective： To observe different effects of moxibustion at Zusanli （ST 36） and Yanglingquan （GB 34） on electrogastrogram （EGG） of patients with functional dyspepsia （FD）. Methods： A total of 65 cases were randomized into a Zusanli （ST 36） group （n=33） and a Yanglingquan （GB 34） group （n=32） by random serial number, to receive moxibustion therapy to the corresponding point respectively. The 8-lead EGG was used before and after treatment to collect EGG parameter of the gastric body, antrum of stomach, lesser curvature and greater curvature, including the dominant frequency, slow wave percentage, average frequency, response area and motility index. Results： After treatment, the dominant frequency and slow wave percentage were improved in nearly the whole stomach area in Zusanli （ST 36） group, showing statistical significances （both P〈0.05）; the slow wave percentage and average frequency were improved in stomach body and antrum of stomach in Yanglingquan （GB 34） group, showing statistical significances （both P〈0.05）; moxibustion at Zusanli （ST 36） had a significantly higher influence on EGG than Yanglingquan （GB 34）, in which the lifting of slow wave percentage was significantly higher than Yanglingquan （GB 34） group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Moxibustion at Zusanli （ST 36） and Yanglingquan （GB 34） has the effect of adjusting abnormal EGG pattern in FD patients. Compared with Yanglingquan （GB 34）, Zusanli （ST 36） has a superior effect in improving EGG in stomach area.

Effect of Electro-Stimulation at Auriculo-Stomach Point on Electrogastrogram of Peptic Ulcer Patients

Comparative study on effects of electro-stimulation on electrogastrogram (EGG) in 60 casesof gastric and duodenal ulcers was conducted. It was confirmed that electro-stimulation on auriculo-stomachpoint could reduce the EGG amplitude at the gastric antrum and corpus in ulcer patients (P< 0 . 01 ) ; while noeffect could be found with electro-stimulation of Auriculo-Heart point and with supine posture only ( P > 0 . 05 ) .All three methods had no effects on EGG trequency at the gastric antrum and corpus ( P >0 . 05) . It was sug-gested that electrostimulation at Auriculo-Stomach point might be of certain therapeutic effect on patients withpeptic ulcer .

Clinical research on acupuncture combined with TDP for stump stomach atony after subtotal gastrectomy

Objective To verify the therapeutic methods and clinical efficacy on stump stomach atony after subtotal gastrectomy （SSASG） treated with acupuncture and TDP. Methods Fifty-three cases were divided into an observation group （23 cases） and a control group （30 cases） according to the random number table. In the observation group, acupuncture was applied in combination with TDP. The main acupoints were Zúsānlǐ （足三里 ST 36）, Píshū （脾俞 BL 20）, Wèishū （胃俞 BL 21） and Zhōngwǎn （中脘 CV 12）. The treatment was given once per day. 10 treatments made one session. Two sessions of treatment were required. In the control group, Motilium was prescribed for oral administration, 10 mg each time, three times per day, continuously for 20 days. The changes in the relevant parameters in electrogastrogram （EGG） were observed before and after treatment. The efficacy was assessed. Results The principle frequency and the waveform reaction area of EGG were improved apparently after treatment in both groups （all P0.01）, and those in the observation group were superior to those in the control group （all P0.01）. The ratio of the power after/before meal was more than 1 in the observation group after treatment and that in the control group was less than 1. The effective rate was 100.0% （23/23） in the observation group, which was superior to that of 80.0% （24/30） in the control group, presenting statistically significant difference （P0.01）. Conclusion Acupuncture in combination with TDP can effectively treat SSASG. This therapy apparently improves the gastric motility, tremendously promotes the gastrointestinal peristalsis and recovers the gastrointestinal function after operation. The efficacy of it is superior to that achieved by the oral administration of Motilium.

Twenty Cases of Diabetic Gastric Retention Treated by Dachengqi Decoction

Objective: To study the effect of Dachengqi Decoction in Treating diabetic gastric retention.Methods: Twenty Patients of diabetic gastric retention were treated with Dachengqi Decoction with their electrogastrogram, urinary glucose and clinical symptoms observed. Results: After treatment, the parameters of electrogastrogram and urinary glucose lowered significantly, and the symptoms relieved. The effect of the treated group was significantly better than that of the control group who were treated with metoclopramide. Conclusion: Dachengqi Decoction is an effective recipe in treating diabetic gastric retention.

Effects of Electroacupuncture at Different Points on Colorectal Distention-induced Changes in Blood Pressure, Electrogastrogram, Gastric Tension and Gastric Blood Flow

Objective: To investigate the specificity of the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at different acupoints on gastric functional activity and gastric blood flow after colorectal distension (CRD) in the rat. Methods: Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: a control group, a Zusanli group, a non-point group, a Taichong group and a Neiguan group. Rats were anesthetized after 18 h of fasting, and a rat model of nociceptive blood pressure elevation and abnormal electrogastrogram (EGG) and gastric tension (GT) was prepared by gasbag-induced CRD. EA was given bilaterally, and its effects on gastric blood flow (GBF) of the arcus vasculosi of the greater omentum, blood pressure, EGG fast wave properties, and gastric smooth muscle tension (GT) were quantified. Results: CRD induced an increase in blood pressure that was significantly inhibited by EA at all points (all P<0.05), and the inhibitory effects were greater in the Zusanli and Neiguan groups compared to the non-point group (both P<0.05). CRD also caused reductions in GT and GBF, and in the amplitude, frequency and duration of EGG waves (all P<0.05). These effects were also reversed by EA. The effects of EA on EGG wave amplitude, GT, and GBF were superior in the Zusanli group compared to the Taichong group, Neiguan group, and the non-point group. Conclusion: EA significantly counteracted CRD-induced changes in blood pressure, GBF, EGG, and GT. The effects of stimulation at Zusanli (ST 36) were significantly greater compared to other points, indicating relative specificity of this acupoint.