Published online Dec 15, 1996. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v2.i4.203
Revised: September 10, 1996
Accepted: October 20, 1996
Published online: December 15, 1996
AIM: To investigate the effects of electro-needling at Zusanli (ST36) on changes of nitric oxide (NO), dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) in rats with stress gastric ulcer.
METHODS: By biochemical methods the changes in contents of NO, DA and NE in gastric antral mucosa, corporal ventriculi mucosa and in blood after electro-needling (EN) were analysed. For observation all animals were randomly divided into four groups: stress group, EP after stress group, stress after EP group and control group.
RESULTS: NO content in serum of stress gastric ulcer rats (5.78 ± 1.49 μmol/L) was significantly decreased, as compared with the control group (13.30 ± 2.75 μmol/L; P < 0.01). DA content in gastric antral mucosa was markedly decreased (3.31 ± 0.67 ng/mg vs 6.78 ± 4.65 ng/mg, P < 0.05). DA in corporal ventriculi mucosa showed a tendency to increase. EN at Zusanli made NO level recover in stress gastric ulcer rats (7.91 ± 1.11 μmol/L), as compared with the stress group (P < 0.01). EN regulated DA and NE contents in antrum and corpora ventriculi mucosa bi-directionally, i.e., the contents were decreased when they formerly rose, and increased when formerly fell, respectively, as compared with the stress group (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: EN has a protective effect on the gastric mucosa. EN bi-directionally regulates DA and NE, and the vascular relaxation partially brought about by NO regulates the gastric mucosal blood flow, and strengthens the defensive function of the gastric mucosa.