Acupuncture inhibits vagal gastric acid secretion stimulated by sham feeding in healthy subjects.

Abstract

In a prospective randomised study, the effect of acupuncture on sham feeding stimulated gastric acid secretion was investigated. In eight healthy volunteers (five men, three women, mean (SEM) age 26-3 (4.7) years) various methods of acupuncture were performed. Apart from the sham procedure, the acupuncture was performed at the classic acupuncture points. Electroacupuncture reduced gastric acid secretion expressed as median (range) significantly during the first 30 minute period to 1-6 (0-5.2) mmol compared with 3-8 (2.3-14-5) mmol (p<0.05) during control period (sham feeding without acupuncture). Inhibition of gastric acid secretion by electroacupuncture was also significant during the second 30 minute period (0-2 (0-5.6) v 3-6 (0.3-9.1) mmol; p<0.05) and for peak acid output (0.8 (0.2-5.1) v 7'6 (3.4.12-1) mmol; p<0.05). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation also resulted in significant reduction of gastric acid secretion during the first 30 minute period (1-0 (0-3.6) mmol v 3-8 (2.3-14.5) mmol; p<005), and peak acid output (3-6 (1*2-12*0) v 7*6 (3.4-12-1) mmol; p<0.05). The classic needle acupuncture, laser acupuncture, and sham acupuncture had no significant effect on gastric acid secretion. This study shows firstly that in healthy volunteers, only the versio;is of acupuncture using more pronounced stimulation (electroacupuncture, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), but not those with only mild stimulation of the nerves (classic needle acupuncture, laser acupuncture), and secondly only acupuncture performed at defined points lead to significant reduction in gastric acid secretion. (Gut 1994; 35: 1026- MethodsEight healthy subjects (five men, three women, mean (SEM) age 26-3 (4.7) years) took part in the study. As one participant failed to complete the study, the data of seven volunteers were considered for evaluation. Different methods of acupuncture used included needle acupuncture, electroacupuncture, laser acupuncture, and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation. Apart from sham acupuncture the acupuncture was performed at the classic acupuncture points. For the control period sham feeding without acupuncture was given in all subjects in the study.The subjects gave their written informed consent, and the study protocol was accepted by the ethics commission

Electroacupuncture attenuates liver and kidney oxidative stress in anesthetized rats

“…MA has been used for several millennia in oriental countries and is being increasingly accepted by practitioners and patients in the West as well 1 . Electroacupuncture (EA) is a modification of this technique where small electrical currents are applied to needles previously inserted in the body and appears to have more consistently reproducible results in many specific clinical and research settings [2][3][4] . EA applied to Zusanli (ST-36) acupoint reduced lipid peroxidation in experimental models of ischemia/reperfusion such as rat spinal cord 5 , brain 6 and blood serum 7 and pig heart muscle 8 .…”

Electroacupuncture improves rectal distension-induced delay in solid gastric emptying in dogs

“…Acupuncture is one of the major treatment methods in traditional Chinese medicine and is performed by inserting the tips of needles on specific points (called acupoints) through the skin. Electroacupuncture (EA) is a modification of acupuncture that stimulates acupoints with electrical current instead of manual manipulations and appears to yield more consistent and reproducible results in both clinical and research settings (23,26). During the last decade, a considerable number of studies have been performed to examine the efficacy of EA for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders (32).…”

Electroacupuncture stimulation using different frequencies (10 and 100 Hz) changes the energy metabolism in induced hyperglycemic rats

“…Electroacupuncture (EAc) is a form of treatment where small electrical currents are applied to needles previously inserted in the body and appears to have more consistently reproducible results in many specific clinical and research settings [1][2][3] . EAc at Zusanli (ST-36) or Zhongwan (CV-12) acupoints have been widely used to relieve symptoms of diabetes mellitus in Traditional Chinese Medicine.…”