Clinical Study on Acupuncture in Treating Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

ABSTRACT

Objective: To observe the changes of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in colonic membrane of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) and the clinical efficacy of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion in treating it, and to explore the action mechanisms. Methods: Seventy-three subjects were randomized into two groups: moxibustion group in which 37 cases were treated by herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion and needling group in which 36 cases were treated by needling. The clinical efficacy and 5-HT expression in colonic membrane were observed. Results: The cure rate was 43.2% in the moxibustion group and 36.1% in the needling group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion could reduce 5-HT expression in colonic membrane. Conclusion: Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion might improve the clinical symptoms of IBS-D by reducing 5-HT expression.