“…VIP has some actions in the intestine including relaxation of intestinal smooth muscle, sphincters, dilation of peripheral blood vessels, and inhibition of gastric acid secretion . SP is a signaling molecule connecting the nervous system to the immune system, containing the neural pathway that plays an important role in the regulation of gastrointestinal function (Ma et al, 2009). In this study, IL-1, IL-6, IFN-␥ and TNF-␣ levels in periphery, TNF-␣ and TGF- positive cells in small intestine were taken as immune modulation parameters, VIP, SP and gastrin as neuroendocrine regulation parameters, and reserpine treated rats as the animal model of TCM spleen deficiency, to explore the mechanism of Lizhong Pill for reinforcing spleen deficiency from the view of neuroendocrinoimmune regulation.…”