Electroacupuncture at ST25 inhibits jejunal motility:Role ofsympathetic pathways and TRPV1

AIM: To investigate whether electroacupuncture(EA) at ST25 affects jejunal motility in vivo and if so, whether a sympathetic pathway is involved.METHODS: Jejunal motility was assessed using a manometric balloon placed in the jejunum approximately about 3-5 cm away from the suspensory ligament of the duodenum in anesthetized animals. The effects of EA at ST25 were measured in male Sprague-Dawley rats, some of which were treated with propranolol or clenbuterol(EA intensities: 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 m A), and in male transient receptor potential vanilloid-1(TRPV1)(capsaicin receptor) knockout mice(EA intensities: 1, 2, and 4 m A).RESULTS: Anesthetized rats exhibited three types of fasting jejunal motor patterns(types A, B, and C), and only type C rats responded to EA stimulation. In type C rats, EA at ST25 significantly suppressed the motor activity of the jejunum in an intensity-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of EA was weakened by propranolol(β adrenoceptor antagonist) and disappeared with clenbuterol(β adrenoceptor agonist) induced inhibition of motility, suggesting that the effect of EA on motility is mediated via a sympathetic pathway. Compared with wild-type mice, EA at ST25 was less effective in TRPV1 knockout mice, suggesting that this multi-modal sensor channel participates in the mechanism. CONCLUSION: EA at ST25 was found to inhibit jejunal motility in an intensity-dependent manner, via a mechanism in which sympathetic nerves and TRPV1 receptors play an important role.

Electroacupuncture regulates glucose-inhibited neurons in treatment of simple obesity

The glucose-inhibited neurons present in the lateral hypothalamic area are regarded as glucose detectors. This structure is involved in the regulation of food intake through extracellular blood glucose concentrations, and plays a crucial role in obesity onset. In the present study, obesity models established with high fat feeding were treated with electroacupuncture at Zusanli （ST36）/ tnner Court （ST44） on the left side and Tianshu （ST25） bilaterally. We found that electroacupuncture could effectively reduce body weight and the fat-weight ratio, and decrease serum leptin, resistin, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and neuropeptide Y levels, while increase serum adiponectin and cholecystokinin-8 levels. This treatment altered the electrical activity of glucose-inhibited neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area, with electroacupuncture at Zusanli/Inner Court exerting an inhibitory effect, while electroacupuncture at bilateral Tianshu exerting an excitatory effect. These data suggest that electroacupuncture at the lower limbs and abdominal cavity is an effective means for regulating the activity of glucose-inhibited neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area and for improving the secretory function of adipose tissue.

Development of a novel mouse constipation model

AIM: To establish a novel mouse constipation model. METHODS: Animals were randomly divided into three groups, and intragastrically administered 0-4?℃ saline(ice-cold group) or 15-20?℃ saline(saline control group) daily for 14 d, or were left untreated(blank control group). Stools were collected 3-24 h after treatment to record the wet and dry weights and the stool form. Intestinal propulsion experiments were carried out and defecation time was measured for six days continuously after suspending treatments. The expressions of PGP9.5 were detected by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: Based on the percentage of stool weight changes compared with baseline(before irritation) in 9-14 d, stool weight changes were classified into three levels. Each level shows a different body state, which is state Ⅰ(no change: plus or minus 5%), state Ⅱ(slightly decreased: 5%-15%) and state Ⅲ(decreased: 15%-25%). In state Ⅲ, between day 9-14, the stool weights decreased by 15%-25% compared with the baseline, and changed at a rate > 10% compared with blank control values, and the stools became small and dry. Additionally, intestinal functions degenerated in these animals, and PGP9.5-positive expression markedly decreased in jejunum, ileum and proximal colon myenteric plexus.CONCLUSION: Irritation with ice-cold saline is a stable, repeatable method in building constipation model in mice for exploring the pathogenesis and treatment options of constipation, and the change of stool weight and size may serve as a useful tool to judge a constipation model success or not.

Review of systematic reviews and Meta-analyses investigating Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a review of the systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).METHODS: We searched Pub Med, Cochrane, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database(CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database(VIP), Wanfang, and other databases from database inception to May 2014 for systematic reviews and meta-analyses on TCM treatment of T2 DM. Manuscripts were read by two investigators if they met the inclusion criteria, and data were extracted. A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews(AMSTAR) was used to classify research quality, and the evidence quality was graded by the Grade of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation(GRADE) system.RESULTS: Eighteen systematic reviews and meta-analyses were considered. Fifteen analyzed the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines, and three investigated the efficacy of acupuncture. AMSTAR evaluation ranged from 3-10, and re-evaluation of the main results implied that treatment of T2 DM with TCM has certain advantages when compared with conventional Western medicine. However, the evidence quality was generally low.CONCLUSION: This work shows favorable evidence for the clinical treatment of TCM on T2 DM. However, it is recommended that evidence-based decisions are made based on clinical trials because of the GRADE scores of the studies. To achieve higher quality of clinical research, clinical research on TCM requires specific and suitable research methods. Further trials may increase the quality of evidence to evaluate the clinical efficacy of TCM for T2 DM.

Effect of acupuncture at three different acupoints on electrical activity of gastric distention-affected neurons in rat medial vestibular nucleus

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of gastric distention(GD) and acupuncture at three different acupoints on the spontaneous discharge of neurons in the medial vestibular nucleus(MVN), and to clarify the specific function of the MVN in the central integration mechanism underlying acupuncture regulation.METHODS: GD was conducted using a balloon inserted in the stomach cavity, and acupuncture was performed separately at each of three acupoints:Zusanli(ST 36), Quchi(LI 11), and Weishu(BL 21).The effect of acupuncture and GD on the spontaneous discharge of MVN neurons was assessed using a glass microelectrode filled with a sodium acetate electrolyte solution containing 1% pontamine sky blue; the discharge signals from the neurons were amplified by the microelectrode amplifier and recorded in the Spike2 system.RESULTS: GD and acupuncture significantly affected the spontaneous discharge of MVN neurons. Furthermore, acupuncture at Zusanli(ST 36) and Weishu(BL 21) was significantly more effective at altering the discharge of GD-responsive MVN neurons compared with GD-nonresponsive neurons.CONCLUSION: GD and acupuncture at three different acupoints affected the electrical activity of MVN neurons. The MVN is involved in the central integration mechanism underlying acupuncture regulation of gastric functions. The effects of acupuncture on gastric function may therefore be mediated via these particular MVN neurons.