Effect of the acupoints ST-36 (Zusanli) and SP-6 (Sanyinjiao) on intestinal myoelectric activity of Wistar rats

Despite its ancient use as a therapeutic tool to treat several ailments, acupuncture still faces the challenge of scrutiny by Western science both in terms of its efficacy and in terms of the characterization of its effects and mechanisms of actions underlying these effects. We investigated under well-controlled and carefully characterized conditions the influence of electrical stimulation of acupuncture points ST-36 (Zusanli) and SP-6 (Sanyinjiao) on the myoelectric activity of the small intestine of 38 adult male Wistar rats. Electrical recordings obtained by means of four electrodes chronically implanted in the small intestine were used to assess the effects of acupuncture (electroacupuncture stimulation set at 2 Hz, intermittent stimulation, 1 V, for 30 min). Immobilization of the animals was associated with a consistent decrease (-8 ± 7 percent) in the myoelectric activity of the small intestine as measured by means of the root mean square. Conversely, acupuncture was able to significantly increase (overshoot) this activity compared to baseline (+44 ± 7 percent). In contrast, immobilized animals subjected to sham acupuncture had only modest (nonsignificant) increases in myoelectric activity (+9 ± 6 percent). Using carefully controlled conditions we confirmed previous noncontrolled studies on the ability of acupuncture to alter intestinal motility. The characterization of the topographic and temporal profiles of the effects observed here represents a basis for future dissection of the physiological and pharmacological systems underlying these effects

Effect of electroacupuncture on physical performance of young men and responses to exercise

Chinese Medicine uses acupuncture points K-3 (Taixi), Li-3 (taichong), S-36 (Zusanli), Ren-4 (Guanyuan)and Ren-6 (Qihai) to enhance the individual's general energy, improving capacity to physical efforts, and the body threshold to fadigue. We studied the influence of these specific points on physical performance capacity (PPC) and physiological responses to excercise (PRE). Material - We assigned 27 healthy men at random to three groups: acupuncture (A), acupuncture sham (S) and control group (no acupuncture (N). Methods - Performance was determined through of a spiroergometric test was carried out at the beginning and at the end of five sucessive daily sessions, consisting of 20 minutes of electroacupuncture (EA) of the selected points. They performed a continuous incremental (25 watts/min) test until exhaunstion in bicycle ergometer (Cibex the Bike). Respiratory and metabolic variables were calculated every 20s during excercise by a computerized spiroergometric system (Vista CX). The heart was obtained by telemetry (Polar), The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was measured by the Borg's revised scale. Results - The results before and after treatment were compared in these conditions: rest (R); moderate exercise (M); at the anaerobic threshold (AT); intense exercise (I); maximal exercise (MX) and recovery (RC). The subjects from group A didn't increase the maximal performance capacity neither the PPC at AT. Respiratory, cardiovascular responses and movement economy in M, AT, I and MX didn't improve in these group. We detected a positive effect of EA only in RPE during M. There was no differences between tests in groups S an N. Conclusion - These results suggest that the EA in studied conditions isn't effective to increase PPC or improve PRE.