ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the effects and the possible mechanisms of Neiguan(PC6)and Gongsun(SP4)on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis in rats with functional dyspepsia(FD),thus to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of the Eight Confluent Points.Methods:Forty specific-pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a blank group,a model group,an electroacupuncture(EA)group,and a Western medicine group by the random number table method,with 10 rats in each group.Rats in the blank group did not receive modeling or intervention.Rats in the other three groups were subjected to the FD with mood disorder model using the compound etiology modeling method.After the successful modeling,rats in the model group did not receive any interventions,rats in the Western medicine group received deanxit and mosaprid intervention,and those in the EA group received EA intervention on the ipsilateral Neiguan(PC6)and Gongsun(SP4)for 21 d.The sugar-water consumption rate was measured before the experiment and before and after interventions to assess the emotional status.The gastric emptying rate was measured after interventions to assess the gastrointestinal dynamics.The expression levels of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH),pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),and adrenal corticosterone(CORT)were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:Compared with the blank group,the sugar-water consumption rate and the gastric emptying rate were decreased(P<0.01),and the hypothalamic CRH,pituitary ACTH,and adrenal CORT expression levels were increased(P<0.01)in the model group.Compared with the model group,the sugar-water consumption rate and the gastric emptying rate were significantly increased(P<0.01),while the expression levels of hypothalamic CRH,pituitary ACTH,and adrenal CORT were significantly decreased(P<0.01)in the EA group and the Western medicine group.The differences between the EA group and the Western medicine group were not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion:The Eight Confluent Points Neiguan(PC6)and Gongsun(SP4)can improve the mood and gastrointestinal dynamics in FD rats,which may be achieved by down-regulating the hypothalamic CRH,pituitary ACTH,and adrenal CORT,as well as by correcting the HPA axis hyperfunction.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the different therapeutic effects of acupuncture and Phenolphthalein for constipation due to intestinal qi stagnation. Methods:A total of 50 patients with constipation due to intestinal qi stagnation were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group by the random digital table, 25 cases in each group. The patients in the acupuncture group were treated by puncturing Gongsun (SP 4), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taichong (LR 3), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Hegu (LI 4), Lieque (LU 7), and Tianshu (ST 25), once every day, and 7 d as one course, for continuous 3 courses; while the patients in the medication group were given Phenolphthalein, 7 d as one course, for continuous 3 courses. Compared the Cleveland clinic constipation score (CCS) between the two groups after one course, 3 courses and 3 months after the treatment, as well as the frequency of defecation within one week. Results:After one week of treatment, CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were significantly changed in both groups compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were improved more significantly in the patients of the medication group than in those of the acupuncture group (P<0.01). After 3 weeks of treatment, CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were significantly changed in both groups compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were improved more significant in the patients of the acupuncture group than in those of the medication group (P<0.05). Three months after the end of treatment, CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were significantly changed in both groups compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and CCS scores and frequency of defecation per week were improved more significantly in the patients of the acupuncture group than in those of the medication group (P<0.05). Conclusion:Acupuncture and medication are effective in the treatment of constipation due to intestinal qi stagnation. Their short-term therapeutic effect is similar, but the long-term therapeutic effect is better in the acupuncture group than in the medication group.
