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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 28, 2014; 20(48): 18271-18283
Published online Dec 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i48.18271
Published online Dec 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i48.18271
Acupuncture at heterotopic acupoints enhances jejunal motility in constipated and diarrheic rats
Qing-Guang Qin, Xin-Yan Gao, Kun Liu, Liang Li, Hai-Ping Wang, Department of Physiology, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
Qing-Guang Qin, Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Henan Orthopedics Hospital, Luoyang 471002, Henan Province, China
Hai-Ping Wang, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan 030024, Shanxi Province, China
Xiao-Chun Yu, Bing Zhu, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
Author contributions: Qin QG and Liu K performed the recordings; Wang HP performed the acupuncture; Qin QG, Li L, and Gao XY performed the data analysis; Zhu B, Gao XY and Yu XC designed the study, wrote the paper, and provided financial support for this research; Gao XY is another corresponding author of this study.
Supported by National Basic Research Program of China grant (to Zhu B), No. 2011CB505201; and National Natural Science Foundation of China No. 81130063 and No. 81173345 (to Zhu B and Gao X)
Correspondence to: Bing Zhu, MD, PhD, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, 16 Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei, Beijing 100700, China. bing.zhu@mail.cintcm.ac.cn
Telephone: +86-10- 64089418 Fax: +86-10-64032682
Received: May 9, 2014
Revised: July 9, 2014
Accepted: July 29, 2014
Published online: December 28, 2014
Revised: July 9, 2014
Accepted: July 29, 2014
Published online: December 28, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: This is the first study we know of that investigates the effect and mechanism of acupuncture at heterotopic acupoints on jejunal motility in normal rats or rats with constipation or diarrhea. We observed that acupuncture at heterotopic LI11 or ST37 points increased jejunal motility regardless of initial condition. We demonstrated that acupuncture applied at these points regulated jejunal motility by activating Aδ and C afferent fibers; however, the latter predominates. M2 receptors play a role in this process.