Effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture at PC6 on frequency of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation in cats

Figure 1 The flow chart of protocol I.

Figure 2 The process of protocol II.

Figure 3 EA at neiguan decreased the rate of TLESRs induced by gastric distention, compared with EA at sham acupoint (^bP < 0. 01) and baseline distention (^aP < 0.05). Each number represents one cat.

Figure 4 EA at Neiguan decreased the rate of common cavity during TLESRs compared with EA at sham acupoint (P < 0. 05).

Figure 5 Electric stimulation at Neiguan didn't influence the LES pressure and intragastric pressure.

Figure 6 Photomicrographs showing C-Fos and NOS positive neurons in nucleus tractus solitarius/dorsal motor nucleus of vagus (NTS/DMV). A: C-Fos immunohistochemistry of neiguan group; B: C-Fos immunohistochemistry of sham acupoint group; C: NADPH-d histochemistry of neiguan group; D: NADPH-d histochemistry of sham acupoint group (× 10).

Figure 7 Photomicrographs showing C-Fos and NOS positive neurons in reticular formation of medulla (RFM). A: C-Fos immunohistochemistry of neiguan group; B: C-Fos immunohistochemistry of sham acupoint group; C: NADPH-d histochemistry of neiguan group; D: NADPH-d histochemistry of sham acupoint group (× 10).

Figure 8 CCK, L-arginine and naloxone significantly increase the frequency of TLESRs compared with control group (^aP < 0. 05). But phaclofen and tacrine did not change the frequency of TLESRs compared with control group (P > 0.05). It was indicated that the inhibited effects of EA at neiguan were completely restored by pretreatment with CCK-A, L-arginine and naloxone. But it was not influenced by phaclofen and tacrine.