The Effect of Warming of the Abdomen and of Herbal Medicine on Superior Mesenteric Artery Blood Flow – a Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: In traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine, warming the abdomen with moxibustion or herbal medicines has been used for various diseases. However, the effects of these therapies on hemodynamics have not been clear. We clarify the physiological effects of these therapies on the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow. Participants and Methods: 28 healthy male volunteers were randomly assigned to groups A and B. Group A (n = 14) underwent local thermal stimulation of the paraumbilical region for 20 min at a temperature of 40 °C; this simulated the heat and mechanical pressure effects of moxibustion. Group B (n = 14) took the herbal medicine Daikenchuto (TJ-100; 5.0 g) with distilled water. As a control, group C (n = 14) took distilled water alone. Blood flow volume in the SMA was measured by ultrasound from rest to 50 min after the start of each intervention. Results: The SMA blood flow volume increased significantly between 10 to 40 min after the start of thermal stimulation (p < 0.05), and it also increased significantly between 10 to 50 min after administration of TJ-100 (p < 0.01) as compared to the resting volume. However, SMA blood flow volume did not change significantly after administration of water alone. There was no significant difference in SMA blood flow changes between groups A and B. Conclusions: The results suggest that one of the physiological effects of warming the abdomen according to a traditional concept in thermal stimulation and herbal medicine is an increase of SMA blood flow volume.

High-Tech Equipment for Moxibustion in Modern Medicine

“…It has been reported that treating acupoint ST25, located on both sides of the umbilicus, with moxibustion helps the intestines become active and improves their function (Tabosa et al, 2004). We have successfully proved that heating the umbilicus increases the volume of blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery by using a heat conduction treatment device that we developed (Takayama et al, 2010Seki et al, 2011). Heating the affected area with moxibustion can remedy the condition of acute lymphangitis.…”

Application of Traditional Medical Ideas to Geriatric Syndrome

“…Furthermore, it was shown using ultrasound diagnostic equipment that local thermal stimulation, oral administration of Daikenchu-to, and acupuncture stimulation of ST36 change blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) to a similar extent (Table 4) [16,20].…”

“…Acupuncture stimulation of ST36, HTCD treatment of the paraumbilical region, and the herbal medicine Dai-kenchu-to are different approaches, but all of them increase blood flow volume in SMA (Table 6) [16,20]. Herbal medicine Banxia Houpo Tang, acupuncture, and TES on ST36 and KI3 improve LTSR and may prevent aspiration pneumonia [8,12,36].…”

Traditional Japanese Medicine Daikenchuto Improves Functional Constipation in Poststroke Patients

“…Horiuchi et al reported that DKT significantly improved abdominal bloating and pain and reduced intestinal gas volume in patients with intractable functional constipation [8]. Physiological reactions to the administration of DKT have been reported as promoting gastrointestinal motility [9–13] and increasing intestinal blood perfusion [14–19]. DKT's effectiveness in treating defecation disorders in patients with cerebrovascular disease is commonly observed in the clinical setting.…”

“…DKT has been used to treat defecation disorders with abdominal coldness and pain caused by decreased intestinal motility and blood flow. We previously reported that administration of DKT increased blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery and promoted intestinal peristalsis in healthy subjects [18, 19]. Sato et al reported that DKT significantly increased plasma CGRP levels in healthy subjects [21].…”