~1H NMR-based Metabolomics Study Of Acupuncture For Treating Diarrhea-predominant Functional Bowel Disorders

Objective:To investigate whether metabolic difference exists between acupuncture on ST25 (Tianshu acupoint) and non-acupoint. In this study, an 1H-NMR-based metabonomics approach is applied to study the metabolic effects of acupuncture on diarrhea-predominant FBDs to elucidate the complex physiological effects of acupuncture.Methods:Fifity participants were recruited, including diarrhea-predominant FBDs patients and healthy volunteers. Diarrhea-predominant FBDs patients were randomly divided into acupuncture ST25 group (group A) or sham acupuncture group (group B), and receive 10 sessions of acupuncture treatment over 2 weeks. Fasting blood samples of diarrhea-predominant FBDs patients and healthy control subjects were collected for ’H-NMR-based metabonomics analysis. The samples were analyzed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy, to explore the regulation effects of acupuncture on ST25 compared the diarrhea-predominant FBDs patients and healthy volunteers in metabolic difference.Results:1. After two periods of acupuncture treatment, the times of defecation the score of the Bristol stool form scale of diarrhea-predominant FBDs patients was significantly decreased with acupuncture treatment on A and B over 2 weeks (P<0.05). The SF-36 scale scores of two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05), however, the SF-36 scale scores of some dimensions in groups had a significant difference (P<0.05).2. Compared to healthy subjects, the levels of a series compounds including lactate, 3-hydroxybutyrate,β-galactose, choline, proline were significantly changed (P<0.05).3. After needling ST25 in two periods of treatment. The levels of lactate, 3-hydroxybutyrate and choline were significantly change(P<0.05). After needling non-acupiont in two periods of treatment the levels of arginine, alanine, proline were significantly changed(P<0.05).Conclusion:1. The levels of metabolic profiles including lactate,3-hydroxybutyrate, β-galactose, choline, proline were significantly changed on diarrhea-predominant FBDs patients patients.2. The key metabolites of lactate,3-hydroxybutyrate and choline were obviously changed by acupuncture on ST25 of diarrhea-predominant FBDs patients. The key metabolites of arginine, alanine, proline were significantly changed by non-acupion acupuncture of diarrhea-predominant FBDs patients.This study has found:Acupuncture on ST25 on plasma metabolites in whole adjustment function is better than that of non acupoints.