[Effects of Electroacupuncture on Gastrointestinal Motility and Expressions of VIP and CGRP in Functional Dyspepsia Model Rats].

Abstract

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on vasoactive intesti- nal peptide (VIP) , calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression, gastric emptying, and small in- testine advance rate in functional dyspepsia (FD) rats. Methods Totally 48 SD rats were randomly di- vided into three groups, the blank group, the model group, and the EA group, 16 in each group. Except rats in the blank group, FD model was established by tail clamped stimulation plus irregular diet, and ice physiological saline gastrogavage for 14 successive days. After successful modeling EA at Zusanli (ST36) and Taichong (LR3) were performed, once per day for 28 days. Rats were intervened by gastro- gavage at the end of the treatment. Gastric tissue and small intestinal tissue were sampled after anatomy. The rates of gastric emptying and small intestinal transit were determined. Pathological changes of gastric antrum and jejunum tissue were observed by HE staining. mRNA expression levels of VIP and CGRP in gastric antrum and jejunum tissue were determined by Real-time PCR. Results No organic change oc- curred in tissues of the 3 groups. No gastric or intestinal ulcers , inflammatory infiltration, or glandular ep- ithelial lesion occurred in the 3 groups. Compared with the blank group, gastric residual rate obviously in- creased, small intestinal transit rate was lowered, mRNA expression levels of VIP and CGRP in gastric antrum and jejunum tissue were obviously elevated in the model group (P <0. 01, P <0. 05). Compared with the model group, gastric residual rate was obviously reduced, small intestinal transit was obviously elevated, mRNA expression levels of VIP and CGRP in gastric antrum and jejunum tissue were obviously decreased (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Conclusions EA could significantly decrease mRNA expressions of VIP and CGRP in gastrointestinal tract, accelerate gastric emptying rate and small intestinal transit rate. EA's improving the gastrointestinal motility might be related to decreasing mRNA expressions of VIP and CGRP in gastrointestinal tract, indicating that abnormal secretion braingut peptide might be one of important mechanisms for FD.