Effects Of Electroacupuncture On Colonic Function And Autonomic Nerve Balance In Rats With Irritable Bowel Syndrome In Tianshu(ST25)and Shangjuxu(ST37)

Objective:To investigate the synergistic effects of acupuncture point combinations on colonic function and autonomic balance in a rat model of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation by comparing the effects of electroacupuncture of different single acupoints(ST25、ST37)with those of acupuncture point combinations(ST25+ST37),and to provide an experimental reference for clinical selection and acupuncture point combinations.Methods:Ninety-two male clean Wistar rats weighing 200±20g were randomly divided into blank group(A),model group(B),ST25 group(C),ST37 group(D)and ST25+ST37 group(E).Except for the blank group,all four groups were constructed using a modified version of the combined acute and chronic stress method for IBS-C model rats,Model evaluation using the abdominal withdrawl reflex(AWR)as the primary assessment indicator and stool trait scores and behavioural measures as secondary assessment indicators.The blank group was not subjected to any manipulation;the model group was grasped and restrained and fixed for 20 min daily without needling as in the electroacupuncture group;the electroacupuncture group was bound and restrained and treated with the intervention for 2 weeks.At the end of treatment,the visceral sensitivity of each group of rats was measured using the AWR semi-quantitative score;Under anesthesia,the Powerlab acquisition and analysis system was used to record the rectus abdominis discharge,colonic slow wave frequency and heart rate variability in each group of rats;the ELISA kit measured the serum 5-HT content;the Western blot method was used to detect the expression of proximal colonic TH and the relative content of ChAT protein and the differences in the results of each group were compared separately.Results:①AWR semi-quantitative scores:compared with the model group,all electro-acupuncture groups reduced visceral sensitivity in IBS-C model rats(ST25 P<0.01、ST37 P<0.05、ST25+ST37 P<0.05);The effect of electroacupuncture in the ST25 with the ST37 group was also not significantly different from that of the single point group(P>0.05);Compared with electro-acupuncture different single point groups,ST25+ST37 group did not show synergistic effects of acupoint pairing(ST25 P>0.05,ST37 P>0.05).②Colonic pain sensitivity threshold:compared with the model group,all electroacupuncture groups were able to increase the colonic pain sensitivity threshold as well as pain tolerance in IBS-C model rats(ST25 P<0.0001、ST37 P<0.0001、ST25+ST37 P<0.0001);There was no significant difference between the electroacupuncture different single-acupuncture groups(P>0.05);The effect of electroacupuncture in the ST25 with the ST37 group was also not significantly different from that of the single point group(ST25 P>0.05、ST37 P>0.05).③Colonic slow wave frequency:compared with the model group,all electroacupuncture groups were able to reduce colonic slow wave frequency and thus restore gastrointestinal motility(ST25 P<0.01、ST37 P<0.05、ST25+ST37 P<0.05);There was no significant difference between the electroacupuncture different single point groups(P>0.05);The effect of electroacupuncture in the ST25 with the ST37 group was also not significantly different from that of the single point group(ST25 P>0.05、ST37 P>0.05).④Serum 5-HT levels:Compared with the model group,all electroacupuncture groups were able to reduce serum 5-HT levels(ST25 P<0.0001、ST37 P<0.0001、ST25+ST37 P<0.0001);There was no significant difference between electroacupuncture different single acupuncture point groups(P>0.05);The effect of electroacupuncture in the ST25 with the ST37 group was also not significantly different from that of the single point group(ST25 P>0.05>ST37 P>0.05).⑤Heart rate frequency domain:Compared with the model group,all electroacupuncture groups were able to reduce LF(ST25 P<0.0001、ST37 P<0.0001、ST25+ST37 P<0.0001)and LF/HF(ST25 P<0.01、ST37 P<0.05、ST25+ST37 P<0.05),elevate HF(ST25 P<0.0001、ST37 P<0.001、ST25+ST37 P<0.0001);There was no significant difference between acupuncture different single point groups(P>0.05);The effect of electroacupuncture in the ST25 with the ST37 group was also not significantly different from that of the single point group(ST25 P>0.05,ST37 P>0.05),⑥Expression of proximal colon TH and ChAT protein content:Compared to the model group,the electroacupuncture group reduced the expression of proximal colonic TH protein content(ST25 P<0.01、ST37 P<0.01、ST25+ST37 P<0.01)and increased the expression of ChAT protein content(ST25 P<0.01、ST37 P<0.01、ST25+ST37 P<0.01);there was no significant difference between the needle different single acupuncture point groups(P>0.05);The effect of electroacupuncture in the ST25 with the ST37 group was also not significantly different from that of the single point group(ST25 P>0.05、ST37 P>0.05).Conclusion:As far as the results of this experiment are concerned,electroacupuncture ST25 and ST37 had positive effects on the colon function and overall autonomic nerve balance of the IBS-C model rats,The electroacupuncture acupuncture ST25+ST37 did not show a synergistic or superimposed effect.Preliminary hints:the pattern of acupoint grouping in acupuncture interventions for IBS-C needs further in-depth study.