Objective. To observe the influence of the catgut-embedding method in Du Meridian acupoint on the mental and psychological state of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and analyze its possible mechanism. Methods. According to the random number table, 60 patients with GERD were randomly divided into groups of acupoint catgut embedding and Western medicine, 30 cases in each group. The acupoint group was given catgut embedment in the positive reaction points along the Du Meridian, while the Western medicine group received lansoprazole tablet. They were both treated for six weeks. Scores of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (GerdQ), Zung’s Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Zung’s Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Health-Related Quality of Life Scale for GERD (GERD-HRQL) were measured before and after treatment to analyze and evaluate the differences of symptom scores and mental and psychological conditions between the two groups. Results. (1) The scores of GerdQ, GERD-HRQL, SAS, and SDS in the two groups both significantly decreased after treatment (P<0.05), and those of the acupoint group were much lower than the Western medicine group (P<0.05). (2) The total effective rate was 90.00% in the acupoint group and 53.33% in the Western medicine group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). (3) The correlation coefficients r between the GerdQ score and scores of SAS and SDS were 0.563 and 0.322, respectively, and those between the GERD-HRQL score and scores of SAS and SDS were, respectively, 0.506 and 0.435. Conclusion. (1) The main symptoms of GERD patients, such as acid reflux and heartburn, mental and psychological condition, and quality of life, were all improved in the two groups, but the efficacy in the acupoint group is superior to that of the Western medicine group. (2) The clinical symptoms and scores of patients’ quality of life are positively correlated with the degree of their anxiety and depression. (3) The acupoint catgut-embedding method can effectively regulate the anxiety and depressive symptoms of patients, which complements the efficacy of proton-pump inhibitors and benefits a wider range of population.

BackgroundGastrointestinal motility disorder has been demonstrated to be regulated by acupuncture treatment. The mechanisms underlying the effects of acupuncture stimulation of abdominal and lower limb acupoints on gastrointestinal motility have been thoroughly studied; however, the physiology underlying the effects of acupuncture on the forelimbs to mediate gastrointestinal motility requires further exploration. The aim of this study was to determine whether electroacupuncture (EA) at LI11 promotes jejunal motility, whether the parasympathetic pathway participates in this effect, and if so, which somatic afferent nerve fibres are involved.MethodsA manometric balloon was used to observe jejunal motility. The effects and mechanisms of EA at LI11 were explored in male Sprague-Dawley rats with or without drug administration (propranolol, clenbuterol, acetylcholine, and atropine) and with or without vagotomy. Three types of male mice (β1β2 receptor-knockout [β1β2 −/−] mice, M2M3 receptor-knockout [M2M3 −/−] mice and wild-type [WT] mice) were also studied by using different EA intensities (1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mA). A total of 72 rats and 56 mice were included in the study.ResultsEA at LI11 increased the contractile amplitude of jejunal motility in the majority of both rats and mice. However, EA at LI11 did not enhance jejunal motility in rats administered atropine, rats that underwent vagotomy, and M2M3 −‍‍/− mice (at all intensities). In WT mice, EA at LI11 significantly increased jejunal motility at all intensities except 1 mA, and a plateau was reached at intensities greater than 4 mA.ConclusionOur results suggest that EA at LI11 promotes jejunal motility primarily by exciting the parasympathetic pathway, and that Aδ-fibres and C-fibres may play important roles in the process.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1826-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

No abstract

Background. The roles of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems in mediating the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at ST37 on jejunal motility have yet to be demonstrated. Aim. We used rats and mice to investigate the effect and mechanism of action of EA at ST37 on jejunal motility. Methods. Jejunal motility was recorded by a balloon placed in the jejunum and connected to a biological signal collection system through a transducer. The effects of EA (3 mA) at ST37 were evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats without drugs and with the administration of clenbuterol, propranolol, acetylcholine, and atropine. Further, the efficacy of EA at different intensities (1/2/4/6/8 mA) was measured in wild-type mice and β 1 β 2 −/− mice and M2M3 −/− mice. Results. In Sprague-Dawley rats, the excitatory effect of EA at ST37 on jejunal motility disappeared in the presence of the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine. EA at ST37 was less effective in M2M3 −/− mice than in wild-type mice. Furthermore, to a certain extent, there existed “intensity-response” relationship between jejunal motility and EA. Conclusions. EA at ST37 can enhance jejunal motility in rats and mice mainly via excitation of the parasympathetic pathway. There is an “intensity-response” relationship between EA and effect on jejunal motility.

BackgroundThe enteric nervous system (ENS) plays a central role in developing Parkinson's disease (PD) constipation, and the regulation of the ENS may be a key component in treating PD constipation. Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively treat constipation symptoms in PD, but research on its specific mechanisms, especially in terms of ENS, is relatively lacking. Therefore, we investigated whether EA at ST25 promotes the restoration of ENS structure and colonic motor function in the rotenone-induced PD constipation rat model.MethodsIn this study, we evaluated constipation symptoms by stool characteristics, excretion and water volume, and whole gut transit time and observed colonic motility regulation through colonic motion detection and pathological changes in the colonic myenteric nervous plexus by transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence staining.ResultsEA significantly improved the constipation symptoms and positively adjusted the colonic motility in rotenone-induced PD constipation rats. At the same time, EA reversed the rotenone-induced colonic myenteric nervous plexus injury and regulated the ratio of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters.ConclusionOur results indicate that EA treatment of PD constipation may be mediated through the adjustment of ENS.