Effect of electroacupuncture at Sibai on the gastric myoelectric acitivities of denervated rats

AIM: To explore the mechanism of the exciting effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) at Sibai on the gastric myoelectric activities. METHODS: A total of 32 rats were randomly divided into four groups. Through intraperitoneal injection with atropine (the anti-cholinergic agent by blockade of muscarinic receptors), hexamethonium (automatic nerve ganglion-blocking agent) and reserpine (anti-adrenergic agent by depleting the adrenergic nerve terminal of its norepinephrine store), effects of EA at Sibai on the gastric myoelectric activities of the denervated rats were observed. RESULTS: After intraperitoneal injection of atropine and hexamethonium, the average amplitude and ratio of period to time in the phase of high activity of gastric myoelectric slow wave, and the average numbers of the peaks of gastric myoelectric fast wave were significantly decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01), while after intraperitoneal injection of reserpine, the aforementioned three parameters were increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01). EA at Sibai point partially relieved the inhibitory effect of atropine and hexamethonium on the gastric myoelectric activities in the rats (P < 0.05 or P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cholinergic and adrenergic nervous systems and autonomic nerve ganglion participate in the peripheral passage of the controlling effects of EA at Foot Yangming Channel on gastrointestinal tract. (C) 2006 The WJG Press. All rights reserved.