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World J Gastroenterol. May 28, 2014; 20(20): 6044-6054
Published online May 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i20.6044
Published online May 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i20.6044
Acupuncture-moxibustion in treating irritable bowel syndrome: How does it work?
Xiao-Peng Ma, Jue Hong, Dan Zhang, Huan-Gan Wu, Cui-Hong Zhang, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture-moxibustion and Immunology, Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, Shanghai 200030, China
Cai-Ping An, Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
Yan Huang, Graduate School, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
Sian Meeuwsen, Research Department, Bodystat Ltd., Douglas IM99 1DQ, United Kingdom
Author contributions: Ma XP, Wu HG and Zhang CH made the concept of the manuscript; Ma XP, Hong J, Zhang D, An CP and Huang Y collected the data; Ma XP, Hong J and An CP collated the data and wrote the manuscript together; Zhang CH and Wu HG approved the final version of the manuscript; Meeuwsen S edited the language.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81273843, No. 81072879; National Key Basic Research Program of China, No. 2009CB522900
Correspondence to: Cui-Hong Zhang, PhD, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture-moxibustion and Immunology, Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian, South Wanping Road, Shanghai 200030, China. zjtnyx@126.com
Telephone: +86-21-64690257 Fax: +86-21-64382181
Received: September 28, 2013
Revised: February 13, 2014
Accepted: February 26, 2014
Published online: May 28, 2014
Revised: February 13, 2014
Accepted: February 26, 2014
Published online: May 28, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: This is a review of the latest advances made towards identifying the action mechanisms of acupuncture-moxibustion in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). How does this ancient therapy affect gastrointestinal motility, visceral hypersensitivity, the brain-gut axis, the neuroendocrine system, the immune system, and other factors involved in the pathogenesis of IBS? This paper details answers to these questions.