Basic Research
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 14, 2006; 12(38): 6156-6160
Published online Oct 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i38.6156
Role of vasoactive intestinal peptide and nitric oxide in the modulation of electroacupucture on gastric motility in stressed rats
Guo-Ming Shen, Mei-Qi Zhou, Guan-Sun Xu, Ying Xu, Gang Yin
Guo-Ming Shen, Guan-Sun Xu, Gang Yin, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui TCM College, Hefei 230038, Anhui Province, China
Mei-Qi Zhou, School of Acupuncture and Osteology, Anhui TCM College, Hefei 230038, Anhui Province, China
Ying Xu, College of Basic Medicine, Shanghai TCM University, Shanghai 201203, China
Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of the Education Bureau, Anhui Province, No. 2003kj244
Correspondence to: Professor Guo-Ming Shen, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui TCM College, Hefei 230038, Anhui Province, China. shengm_66@163.com
Telephone: +86-551-5169190 Fax: +86-551-5169188
Received: July 27, 2006
Revised: July 28, 2006
Accepted: August 16, 2006
Published online: October 14, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and nitric oxide (NO) in the modulation of electroacupucture (EA) on gastric motility in restrained-cold stressed rats.

METHODS: An animal model of gastric motility disorder was established by restrained-cold stress. Gastric myoelectric activities were recorded by electrogastroenterography (EGG). VIP and NO concentrations in plasma and gastric mucosal and bulb tissues were detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA). VIP expression in the gastric walls was assayed using avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) and image analysis.

RESULTS: In cold restrained stressed rats, EGG was disordered and irregular. The frequency and amplitude of gastric motility were higher than that in control group (P < 0.01). VIP and NO contents of plasma, gastric mucosal and bulb tissues were obviously decreased (P < 0.01). Following EA at “Zusanli” (ST36), the frequency and amplitude of gastric motility were obviously lowered (P < 0.01), while the levels of VIP and NO in plasma, gastric mucosal and bulb tissues increased strikingly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and expression of VIP in antral smooth muscle was elevated significantly (P < 0.01) in comparison with those of model group.

CONCLUSION: VIP and NO participate in the modulatory effect of EA on gastric motility. EA at “Zusanli” acupoint (ST36) can improve gastric motility of the stressed rats by increasing the levels of VIP and NO.

Keywords: Vasoactive intestinal peptide; Nitric oxide; Gastric motility; Electroacupuncture