[Effects of electroacupuncture at Tianshu (ST25) on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in rats with severe acute pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Tianshu (ST25) on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in sodium taurocholate-induced severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in rats. METHODS: Sixty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham-operation group, SAP group and EA group. An SAP model was established by injecting 3.5% sodium taurocholate at a dose of 1 mL/kg through puncturing the pancreatic duct. In the EA group, EA at ST25 was performed with sparse-dense wave (2/100 Hz, 2 mA for 30 min) immediately after sodium taurocholate injection and 30 min before sacrifice. Rats were sacrificed at 3 (n=7), 6 (n=7) and 12 h (n=8) after operation. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 in serum were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathological changes of pancreatic tissues were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and observed under a microscope and also scored. RESULTS: The levels of serum TNF-α and IL-6 of SAP rats were significantly higher than those of sham-operation rats at 3, 6 and 12 h. The level of IL-10 in serum of SAP rats was significantly higher than that of sham-operation rats at 3 and 6 h (P<0.05). EA at ST25 down-regulated the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in serum and up-regulated the level of IL-10 and the ratio of IL-10/TNF-α, also attenuated the morphological damages at 6 and 12 h (P<0.05) in rats with SAP. The pathological scores of pancreatic tissues in the EA group were significantly less than those in the SAP group at 6 and 12 h (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA at ST25 may have a therapeutic effect on rats with SAP by down-regulating the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 and up-regulating the level of IL-10 to re-establish the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and to ameliorate the inflammatory response of SAP.

Effects of acupuncture at ST25 on inflammatory mediators and nuclear factor κB activation in a rat model of severe acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) and manual acupuncture (MA) at ST25 on inflammatory mediators and nuclear factor κ-B (NF-κB) activation in rats with sodium taurocholate-induced severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: Eighty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control (sham-operated), SAP, SAP+EA and SAP+MA (n=22 each). A SAP model was established by injecting 3.5% sodium taurocholate 1 mL/kg into the pancreatic duct. In each group, animals were killed at t=3 h (n=7), 6 h (n=7) and 12 h (n=8) after the procedure. Pancreatic expression of NF-κB was examined by immunohistochemical staining. The levels of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in serum were determined by ELISA. Pathological changes in the pancreas were examined microscopically. RESULTS: Serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 increased and morphological changes consistent with tissue damage were observed in the pancreas of SAP rats. NF-κB p65 expression was significantly higher in the SAP group than in the sham-operated group (p<0.05). Treatment with acupuncture at ST25 attenuated morphological damage and reduced levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in serum. NF-κB p65 expression was also significantly reduced by acupuncture at ST25 in the pancreas at 6 and 12 h after the procedure (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the SAP+EA and SAP+MA groups. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture at ST25 might have a therapeutic effect on rats with SAP through inhibition of NF-κB expression and a reduction in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Efficacy of electroacupuncture in the treatment of functional constipation: A randomized controlled pilot trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture at Tianshu (ST25) for patients with functional constipation (FC). METHODS: Ninety-six patients with FC were randomized to receive deep needling on bilateral ST25 (group A, 48 cases) or shallow needling on bilateral ST25 (group B, 48 cases) with electroacupuncture once daily for 4 weeks. The proportion of patients with four or more complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) per week, and scores of constipation symptoms and satisfaction with treatment were compared between two groups. Safety was also assessed. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with four or more CSBMs per week was 52.1% in group A, significantly higher than 25.0% in group B during the 4-week treatment (P<0.05). The constipation symptom score of patients were significantly improved in group A as compared with group B at week 2-4 (P<0.05). Patients in group A were more satisfied with their treatment compared with those in group B at week 1-4 (P<0.05). Five patients in group A felt significant pain and discomfort. No other adverse reaction was observed in both groups. CONCLUSION: Using electroacupuncture at ST25 to treat patients with FC is effectively, and deep needling had more stable effect than shallow needling.

[Effects of electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) on the expressions of small intestinal occludin protein and nuclear factor kappa-B in rats with severe acute pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) on regulation of intestinal inflammatory reaction in rats with acute pancreatitis. METHODS: Fifty-four SD rats were randomly divided into a severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) group, an electroacupuncture (EA) group and a sham-operation (SO) group, 18 cases in each group. 3.5% sodium cholate was used to made SAP model by retrograde injecting in cholangiopancreatic duct. After the success of model making, the EA group was treated with EA at bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) for 30 min. The SO group and the SAP group were fixed at the same time for 30 min without treatment. All the rats were killed at 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after modeling in batches. The pathological changes of pancreatic tissue and intestinal epithelium were observed, and the expression of small intestinal occludin protein and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappaB) were detected by immunohistochemical SP method. RESULTS: The pathologic score and the expression of small intestinal NF-kappaB p65 at 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after modeling in the EA group and the SO group were significantly lower than those in the SAP group (all P < 0.05), and the expression of small intestinal occludin protein in the EA group and the SO group were significantly higher than that in the SAP group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) can alleviate pancreatic injury by reducing the expression of NF-kappaB p65 and enhancing the expression of occludin protein in the intestinal epithelium in the SAP model rats.

Therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture at ST36 acupoint on sodium-taurocholate-induced severe acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST36) acupoint in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: Sixty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups of 22 each: a SAP model group (SAP group), a shamoperated group (sham group) and a EA at ST36 acupoint group (EA group). A rat model of SAP was induced by pancreatic duct injection with 3.5% sodium taurocholate. EA was performed at ST36 acupoint for 30 min after induction of SAP and 30 min before sacrificed. The rats were killed at 3 h (n=7), 6 h (n=7) and 12 h (n=8) after operation, and blood samples were taken for the measurement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and acetylcholine (Ach) by enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay. The pathological changes of pancreatic tissue, volume of ascites and pancreatic weight/body weight ratio were measured. RESULTS: The serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 in the EA group were significantly lower than in the SAP group at 3, 6 and 12 h after the operation (p<0.05). Serum Ach in the EA group was significantly higher than in the SAP group at various time points after operation (p<0.05). The other parameters were clearly improved after treatment with EA. CONCLUSION: EA at ST36 acupoint might have a therapeutic effect in rats with SAP through activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.

[Effects of electroacupuncture preemptive intervention on postoperative pain of mixed hemorrhoids].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture at Changqiang (GV 1) and Chengshan (BL 57) 30 min before surgery on postoperative pain and discomforts in patients with mixed hemorrhoids. METHODS: One hundred and twenty cases of mixed hemorrhoids who received Milligan-Morgan operation were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture group, a sham electroacupuncture group and a blank group, 40 cases in each one. At the same time of basic treatment, the electroacupuncture was applied at Changqiang (GV 1) and Chengshan (BL 57) 30 min before surgery in the electroacupuncture group, while shallow needling without electrical stimulation at sham acupoint (1 cm next to acupoint) was applied 30 min before surgery in the sham electroacupuncture group, while no treatment was given before the surgery in the blank group. The total dose of painkillers in the first 24 h after operation, the number of cases who received additional anesthetic in the operation, the self-score of most severity pain in the first 24 h after operation and sleeping time in the night of surgery were observed. RESULTS: The differences of the numbers of cases who received additional anesthetic in the operation had no statistical significance among the three groups (all P > 0.05), but compared with the sham electroacupuncture group and blank group, the total dose of painkillers in the first 24 h after operation was reduced in the electroacupuncture group [(2.43 +/- 1.08) tablets vs (3.23 +/- 1.33) tablets, (3.10 +/- 1.22) tablets], and the score of most severity pain was also decreased (6.65 +/- 1.00 vs 7.48 +/- 0.96, 7.25 +/- 1.19), besides, the sleeping time in the night of surgery was increased [(220.63 +/- 85.50) min vs (162.00 +/- 92.69) min, (151.50 +/- 80.01) min, all P < 0.05]. CONCLUSION: The electroacupuncture at Changqiang (GV 1) and Chengshan (BL 57) 30 min before surgery has effects of preemptive analgesia on postoperative pain for patients with mixed hemorrhoids.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on serum proinflammatory cytokine levels and pancreatic nuclear factor kappa-b expression in acute pancreatitis rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Zusanli" (ST 36) on serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 contents and pancreatic nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappaB) expression in acute pancreatitis rats. METHODS: Sixty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation (sham), model and EA groups (n=22). Acute pancreatitis model was established by intra-pancreatic duct injection of 3.5% sodium taurocholate (0.1 mL/100 g). EA (2 Hz /100 Hz, 2 mA) was applied to bilateral ST 36 for 30 min after modeling and at the end of the experiment. The animals were killed at 3 h (n=7), 6 h (n=7) and 12 h (n=8) after modeling. The expression of pancreatic NF-,cB P65 was detected by immunohistochemical staining, and serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 contentswere determined by ELISA. The pathological changes of pancreatic tissue were displayed by H. E. staining and the quantity of ascite was measured by electronic balance. RESULTS: The pathologic score, ascite quantity, serum TNFalpha and IL-6 contents, and pancreatic NF-kappaB P 65 expression levels at 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after modeling were significantly higher in the model group than in the sham group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the pathologic score, ascite quantity, serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 contents, and pancreatic NF-kappaB P 65 expression levels at 3 h, 6 h and 12 h were significantly decreased in the EA group (P < 0.05). Microscopic observation displayed that the necrosis of the pancreatic acinar cells and infiltration of inflammatory cells were lighter in the EA group than in the model group. CONCLUSION: EA at ST 36 is able to down-regulate sodium taurocholate injection incduced increase of serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 contents, and pancreatic NF-kappaB P65 expression level in acute pancreatitis rats, which may contribute to its effect in relieving necrosis of the pancreatic acinar cells and infiltration of pancreatic inflammatory cells.