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Background Visceral hypersensitivity is one of the main pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and mast cell activation is closely related to visceral hypersensitivity. As a critical molecule of the innate immune system, toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) may modulate the activation of mast cell. Alleviating effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on visceral hypersensitivity has been proved, whereas, whether the TLR4 and mast cell is involved in this process remains unclear. Methods Forty Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, model group, EA group, sham EA group, and mast cell stabilizer (MCS) group. Visceral sensitivity during colorectal distension was assessed by the measurement of visceral motor reflex (VMR). TLR4 mRNA and protein expression were assessed by real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Mast cell number and mast cell tryptase (MCT) expression were detected. The level of inflammatory cytokine in serum was detected with ELISA. Key Results Visceral sensitivity was significantly higher in the model group than in the control group. EA and MCS significantly reduced VMR score at 0.8 mL and 1.2 mL distention pressures. Compared with model group, TLR4 mRNA expression, the protein expression of TLR4 and MCT, and the number of mast cells with degranulation in the colonic tissue, serum concentration of IL‐1β and IL‐8 were all significantly decreased in EA and MCS group. Conclusions & Inferences Electroacupuncture ameliorated visceral hypersensitivity in colon‐sensitized model probably via decreasing the level of pro‐inflammatory cytokines released by mast cell which were decreased when the TLR4 expression in the colonic tissue was downregulated by EA.

Background: To explore the frequency of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and orocecal transit time (OCTT) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: 103 patients with NAFLD and 49 healthy controls were enrolled. Clinical indicators such as body mass index (BMI), liver function, blood lipids, HOMA-IR, serum endotoxin of NAFLD patients were collected and examined. Fibro Touch was used to detect the (controlled attenuation parameter) CAP and liver stiffness measurement (LSM). SIBO and OCTT were measured by lactulose hydrogen breath test.Results: The incidence of SIBO in NAFLD patients (58.3%) was significantly higher than that in healthy