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

Abstract

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%) 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%). In contrast, immobilized animals subjected to sham acupuncture had only modest (nonsignificant) increases in myoelectric activity (+9 ± 6%). 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. Correspondence

Effect of Traditional Acupuncture on Proximal Colonic Motility in Conscious Dogs

“…Electroacupuncture can be more effective than manual acupuncture to produce acupuncture effects [27] although there are little reports about comparison of them on gastrointestinal functions. Additionally, acupuncture at ST36 has been reported to increase intestinal motility [3,26]. Thus, the increase in intestinal motility reported by Luna et al [16] is presumed to be due to electroacupuncture or ST36 acupoint.…”

Effect of Moxibustion at Acupoints Ren-12 (Zhongwan), St-25 (Tianshu), and St-36 (Zuzanli) in the Prevention of Gastric Lesions Induced by Indomethacin in Wistar Rats

“…We have previously shown that acupuncture is effective in increasing and regulating the myoelectric activity of the small intestine (28). This effect was more intense in the proximal muscles of the duodenum.…”

Resultado do tratamento de 119 cães e gatos atendidos pelo serviço de acupuntura da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, Brasil

“…1 Acupuncture has been used for the treatment of several diseases such as neurological 2 , musculoskeletal 3 , dermatological 4 , reproductive 5 , respiratory 6 and gastrointestinal problems 7,8 , otitis 9 and others. Acupuncture is a therapeutic method that uses physical and chemical stimulus on certain areas of the skin (acupoints) to stimulate body homeostasis.…”

“…8 age, disease, number of acupuncture sessions, kind of treatment (acupuncture, eletroacupuncture, homeopathy, moxibustion, gold implant, and their associations) and recovery rate. It was considered for the recovery rate only animals that had at least 50% of improvement on clinical signs according to the owners evaluation and clinical evaluation of at least two veterinarians.…”