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Background: This study sought to explore the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention at Zusanli (ST36) acupoint on modulating the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)., Methods: C57BL/6 mice were administrated with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to construct the IBD model. DSS mice were then administrated with EA (10 Hz, 1.5 mA) at ST36 for 7 days or intragastric administration of sulfasalazine (SASP) each day during the entire course. The control group animals were administered with distilled water. Then, partial least squares discriminant analysis revealed differences in the relative content of metabolites. The pathological changes of colon and spleen tissues were observed by H&E and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. qPCR determined the mRNA expression levels, while ELISA and western blot analysis determined the protein expression., Results: Compared with the control groups, DSS-induced decreases of body weight were reversed after EA stimulation at ST36 or SASP treatment. The DAI of DSS mice was significantly higher relative to the control groups, whereas the DAI of DSS mice were decreased after EA stimulation at ST36 or SASP treatment. The intestinal weight/length ratio increased significantly in DSS groups; however, EA at ST36 significantly improved the macroscopic/microscopic characteristics and the weight and length of the colon. EA reversed inflammation and leukocyte infiltration and normalized the elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and NLRP3. Furthermore, EA improved the expression levels of ZO-1, occludin, and claudin 1, exhibiting normalization of the colon's tight junctions., Conclusions: EA at Zusanli acupoint of colon tissue significantly improved the pathological phenotype, showing a therapeutic effect on IBD., (© 2024 The Author(s). Immunity, Inflammation and Disease published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: The efficacy of acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) in alleviating lower-limb pain is widely acknowledged in clinical practice, while its underlying mechanism remains incompletely elucidated. Our previous research had revealed that the prompt analgesia induced by needling-ST36 was accompanied by expression alterations in certain exco-nucleotidases within the sciatic nerve. Building upon this finding, the current work focused on NTPDase1, the primary ecto-nucleotidase in the human body, which converts ATP into AMP., Methods: A 20-min acupuncture was administered unilaterally at the ST36 on rats with acute ankle arthritis. The pain thresholds of the injured hind paws were determined. Pharmacological interference was carried out by introducing the corresponding reagents to the sciatic nerve. ATP levels around the excised nerve were measured using a luciferase-luciferin assay. Live calcium imaging, utilizing the Fura 2-related-F 340 /F 380 ratio, was conducted on Schwann cells in excised nerves and cultured rat SCs line, RSC96 cells., Results: The analgesic effect induced by needling-ST36 was impaired when preventing ATP degradation via inhibiting NTPDase1 activities with ARL67156 or Ticlopidine. Conversely, increasing NTPDase1 activities with Apyrase duplicated the acupuncture effect. Similarly, preventing the conversion of AMP to adenosine via suppression of NT5E with AMP-CP hindered the acupuncture effect. Unexpectedly, impeded ATP hydrolysis ability and diminished NTPDase1 expression were observed in the treated group. Agonism at P2Y2Rs with ATP, UTP, or INS365 resulted in anti-nociception. Contrarily, antagonism at P2Y2Rs with Suramin or AR-C 118925xx prevented acupuncture analgesia. Immunofluorescent labeling demonstrated that the treated rats expressed more P2Y2Rs that were predominant in Schwann cells. Suppression of Schwann cells by inhibiting ErbB receptors also prevented acupuncture analgesia. Finally, living imaging on the excised nerves or RSC96 cells showed that agonism at P2Y2Rs indeed led to [Ca 2+ ] i rise., Conclusion: These findings strongly suggest that the analgesic mechanism of needling-ST36 on the hypersensation in the lower limb partially relies on NTPDase1 activities in the sciatic nerve. In addition to facilitating adenosine signaling in conjunction with NT5E, most importantly, NTPDase1 may provide an appropriate low-level ATP milieu for the activation of P2Y2R in the sciatic nerve, particularly in Schwann cells., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the common pathological manifestations of metabolic-related diseases, and the prevalence of relevant diseases is high. Acupuncture is beneficial to IR patients, but the central mechanism underlying this treatment remains unclear. This study provides mechanistic insights into how electroacupuncture (EA) improves IR through the response of Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons to adiponectin (Adipo)., Methods: Glucose tolerance tests (GTT), Insulin tolerance tests (ITT) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were detected by glucometer. Serum insulin, Adipo and skeletal muscle adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) protein levels were examined by ELISA. Homeostasis model assessment estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated using the following formula: HOMA-IR = fasting insulin (FINS) (mU/L) × FBG (mmol/L)/22.5. The expression levels of AdipoR1 and Adipo mRNA in skeletal muscle were detected by real-time PCR quantification. The co-marking of c-Fos/AdipoR1 and POMC neurons were investigated using immunofluorescence. Spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) of POMC neurons and the response of POMC neurons to Adipo were detected via electrophysiology., Results: EA significantly ameliorated HFD-induced impairment of GTT, ITT, FBG, and HOMA-IR which was correlated with recovery of the expression level of AdipoR1 and Adipo in skeletal muscle. The improved response of POMC neurons to Adipo in the hypothalamus may be a key factor in correcting abnormal glucose tolerance and improving IR., Conclusion: This study demonstrates that EA can ameliorate HFD-induced impaired glucose tolerance through improved response of POMC neurons to Adipo in the hypothalamus, providing insight into the central mechanism of improving IR through EA., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Xu, Li, Ji, Fang, Yao, Xu and Yi.)

Background: Although the relationship between deqi sensations and curative effect has always been controversial, deqi sensations has been regarded as the key indicator of clinical efficacy of acupuncture therapy. There is little evidence for standardization or visualization of the mechanism of acupuncture's therapeutic effect. This trial aims to evaluate the effect of needling at Zusanli (ST36) on antral contraction function as visualized by ultrasound., Methods: This is a two-arm, single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 116 acupuncture-naïve healthy subjects will be randomly allocated to the acupuncture group or sham acupuncture group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the acupuncture group will receive manual acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) with the needling depth at crural interosseous membrane. Those in the sham acupuncture group will be given penetrating needling depth at the superficial fascia layer. The primary outcome will be the changes in antral contraction frequency (ACF) before and after acupuncture. The secondary outcomes will be the changes in the thermal infrared spectrum of gastric area skin, the antral contraction amplitude (ACA), the antral movement index (AMI), and the scores on the Chinese version of Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale (C-MASS). The adverse events will be evaluated and recorded in detail., Discussion: This study may provide visual and objective evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of manual acupuncture at Zusanli (ST36). In addition, the results of this study will help to identify the role of Zusanli (ST36)in the inducing deqi., Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000040686 . Registered on 8 December 2020., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background Diabetes mellitus is one of the major current public health problems. Electro-acupuncture at ST-36 showed a significant reduction in plasma glucose levels in diabetic rats. There are lacks of studies reporting its hypoglycemic effect in humans and thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of needling at ST-36 (Zusanli) on blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods Sixty T2DM participants were recruited and randomized into acupuncture group (n=30) and placebo control group (n=30). The participants of the acupuncture group received needling at ST-36 (one finger breadth lateral to the inferior border of the tibial tuberosity), and the participants those in the placebo control group received needling at placebo point (midpoint between the apex of the patella and tibial tuberosity). For both the groups, needles were retained for 30 min. Baseline and post-test assessments were performed prior to and after each intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16. Results The present study showed a significant reduction in random blood glucose levels in the acupuncture group compared to the placebo control group. Conclusion This study suggests that 30 min of bilateral acupuncture needling at ST-36 with manual stimulation is effective in reducing blood glucose levels in T2DM patients.

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST36) on the ultrastructure and mitochondrial dynamics of skeletal muscle tissue in spleen qi deficiency rats, so as to explore the partial action mechanism of EA at ST36 for spleen deficiency syndrome., Methods: Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal group, model group, ST36 group and non-acupoint group ( n ＝6 in each group). The model of spleen qi deficiency syndrome was established by improper diet and exhaustive swimming. EA (2 Hz/15 Hz, 0.5 mA) was applied to bilateral ST36 in the ST36 group and non-acupoint in the non-acupoint group for 20 min, once daily for 7 days. The colorimetric method was used to detect the ATP content in skeletal muscle tissue. The ultrastructure changes of skeletal muscle tissue were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) mRNA and proteins in the skeletal muscle tissue were determined by fluorescence quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively., Results: The ATP content in skeletal muscle tissue of model group was significantly lower than that in the normal group ( P <0.05), while significantly higher in the ST36 group than that in the model group and non-acupoint group ( P <0.05). Transmission electron microscopy showed that a large number of muscle fibers that were ruptured, damaged, and disorganized; moreover, many vacuoles with different sizes, and abnormally shaped or swollen mitochondria were observed in the model group. ST36 treatment improved the disor-dered fiber arrangement, and reduced the population of damaged mitochondria; thus, fused and elongated mitochondria were readily observed. Compared with the model group, there were no obvious improvements in the non-acupoint group. Compared with the normal group, the expression levels of Opa1 and Drp1 mRNAs and proteins in the skeletal muscle tissue were significantly lower in the model group ( P <0.05). After the treatment, the expression levels of Opa1 and Drp1 mRNAs and proteins were up-regulated in the ST36 group ( P <0.05), and the expression of Drp1 protein was up-regulated in the non-acupoint group ( P <0.05)．., Conclusion: EA at ST36 can correct the imbalance of mitochondrial fission and fusion in skeletal muscle of rats with spleen qi deficiency, thereby improving the damage of mitochondrial structure and function, and leading to an increase of energy metabolism.

Objective: To observe the effect of the small needle knife through the Zusanli(ST 36) on behavior and hippocampal expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β in myalgia comorbid depressed rats., Methods: The rat models of myalgia comorbid depression were prepared by intraperitoneal injection of acute reserpine. Twenty-four SD male rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, small needle knife group and amitriptyline group, 6 rats in each group. The open field behavior and mechanical pain threshold of each group were detected. The thermal pain threshold was detected by intelligent hot plate test. The expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β in hippocampus of rats was detected by Western blotting., Results: Compared with the model group, the mechanical pain threshold of the foot was significantly improved in the small needle knife group ( P <0.01). Compared with the amitriptyline group, the small needle knife stimulation of Zusanli(ST 36) can significantly increase the thermal pain threshold in rats( P <0.05); in the comparison of the horizontal movement distance and the number of crossings in the open field behavioral rats, the total distance of the open field activity of the small needle knife group was significantly increased( P <0.05). Compared with the model group, the number of crossings in the small needle knife group had no statistically significant difference ( P >0.05). The expressions of NLRP3 and IL-1β in the hippocampus of the model group were significantly increased( P <0.05), and the expression of IL-1β in the small needle knife group was significantly decreased ( P <0.05). The stimulation of small needle knife at Zusanli(ST 36) could inhibit the expression of NLRP3 in hippocampus of rats. However, there was no statistically significant difference compared with the model group ( P >0.05)., Conclusions: Small needle knife can improve the pathological state of myalgia comorbid depression caused by reserpine in rats. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β expression in central hippocampus., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© 2019 by the China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology Press.)

Background: Acupuncture point (acupoint) injection is a common practice in China. Some trials showed that Chinese herbal extracts and/or conventional medication are injected at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). The study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupoint injection for DPN at the ST36 by systematically evaluating the evidence published to date. Methods: Six databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ST36 injection for DPN with primary outcome of pain, global symptom improvement, and quality of life. Methodological quality was assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias (ROB) tool. Data were analyzed using RevMan 5.3. Results: Fourteen RCTs involving 1,071 participants with DPN were included. All RCTs were assessed as unclear or high ROB. Few RCTs adequately reported methodology-related items and needling details according to Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) and Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) statement. Medications injected at ST36 included conventional medications (11 RCTs) and Chinese herbal extracts (3 RCTs). The authors of this study did not perform any meta-analysis due to the heterogeneity of medications used for injections. Two individual RCTs favored ST36 injection in relieving pain compared with intramuscular injection of the same medication. For global symptom measured by Toronto clinical scoring system, one RCT showed that ST36 injection of Fufang Danggui was more effective than intramuscular injection of vitamin B 12 , two RCTs demonstrated that ST36 injection of mecobalamin or Danhong with cointervention was superior, while one RCT showed no significant differences between ST36 injection and intramuscular injection of mecobalamin. For improving nerve conduction velocity (NCV), three of four individual RCTs showed that ST36 injection was better than intramuscular or intravenous injection of the same medication, two RCTs favored ST36 injection with cointervention, and one RCT favored ST36 injection without cointervention. Four RCTs reported monitoring adverse events, all of which showed no significant difference between groups. Conclusions: Limited evidence suggests that ST36 injection appears to be safe, and potentially effective in reducing pain score and improving NCV compared with intramuscular injection of the same medication. However, poor methodological and reporting quality reduced confidence in the findings. Rigorously designed and well-reported RCTs evaluating the effectiveness of ST36 injection for DPN are warranted.

Objective: To study the effect of electro- acupuncture at Zusanli acupoint in regulating perioperative cell immune functions in rats., Methods: Forty-two SD rats were divided into blank control group ( n =6), model group ( n =18), and electroacupuncture group ( n =18). The rats in the latter two groups underwent thigh incision and femoral dissection under anesthesia; the rats in electro-acupuncture group received electro-acupuncture at bilateral Zusanli acupoint for 15 min before anesthesia and 1 h after the surgery. The rats in the model group and electro-acupuncture group were sacrificed at 6 h, 24 h, and 72 h after the operation and blood samples were taken from the ventricle for analyzing CD3, CD4, and CD8 T cell subpopulations and calculation of CD4/CD8 using flow cytometry. ELISA was used to detect the levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6., Results: The CD3 T cell subpopulation was significantly lower in the model group and electro-acupuncture group than in the blank group at 6 h and 24 h after the operation. At 72 h after the operation, CD3 subpopulation levels still remained low in the model group, but recovered the control level in electro-acupuncture group. At each time point of measurement, CD3 level was significantly lower in the model group than in the electro-acupuncture group. CD4 level in the model group was significantly lowered at 6 h and 24 h after the operation, and recovered the control level at 72 h. In the electro-acupuncture group, CD4 level was significantly lowered at 6 h after the operation, but recovered the control level at 24 h. At 24 h and 72 h, the levels of CD4 were significantly lower in the model group than in the electro-acupuncture group. CD8 level underwent no significant changes after the operation in either the model group or electro-acupuncture group. CD4/CD8 was significantly lowered at 24 h and 72 h after the operation in the model group but showed no significant variation in the electro-acupuncture group. Compared with that in the control group, IL-1 level was significantly lowered in both the model group and electroacupuncture group at 6 h, 24 h, and 72 h after the operation, and was significantly lower in the model group than in the electroacupuncture group at these time points. IL-6 level increased significantly in the model group and the electro- acupuncture group at 6 h and 24 h. at 72 h, IL-6 level was obviously lowered in the electro-acupuncture group but remained elevated in the model group., Conclusions: Electro-acupuncture alleviates postoperative immune suppression and promotes recovery of the immune function in rats, suggesting a protective effect of electro-acupuncture at Zusanli acupoint on cellular immune function after surgery.

Background and Objective: Electrical stimulation and acupuncture points as nonpharmacological methods have been the focus of pain reduction in different patients. This study is aimed at determining the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the acupuncture points of pain in patients under mechanical ventilators., Materials and Methods: This randomized double-blind clinical trial study was conducted on 50 patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in intensive care units of Imam Reza hospital in Kermanshah, Iran, in 2017. The patients were randomly allocated into intervention and placebo groups. In the intervention group, TENS electrodes were placed on points Hegu and Zusanli. Pain severity was measured using the Care Pain Observation Tool scale, and the dosages of narcotics and sedation intake were recorded. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 19., Results: The level of pain in patients decreased in the intervention group in comparison with the sham group, and this decline was significant during certain hours (p < 0.05). The amount of analgesic and sedation drugs used was less significant in the intervention group than in the sham group (p = 0.01; p = 0.04)., Conclusion: The results showed that the use of TENS on acupuncture points can decrease the level of pain and opioid consumption in intubated patients under a mechanical ventilator., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) has been applied to treat and prevent diseases for years. However, molecular events happened in both the acupunctured site and the internal organs after EA stimulation have not been clarified., Methods: Here we applied transcriptomic analysis to explore the gene expression signatures after EA stimulation. Mice were applied EA stimulation at ST36 for 15 min and nine tissues were collected three hours later for microarray analysis., Results: We found that EA affected the expression of genes not only in the acupunctured site but also in the internal organs. EA commonly affected biological networks involved in cytoskeleton and cell adhesion, and also regulated unique process networks in specific organs, such as γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic neurotransmission in brain and inflammation process in lung. In addition, EA affected the expression of genes related to various diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases in brain and obstructive pulmonary diseases in lung., Conclusions: This report applied, for the first time, a global comprehensive genome-wide approach to analyze the gene expression profiling of acupunctured site and internal organs after EA stimulation. The connection between gene expression signatures, biological processes, and diseases might provide a basis for prediction and explanation on the therapeutic potentials of acupuncture in organs.

Acupuncture has shown beneficial effect in the treatment of multiple dermatologic conditions including dermatitis, pruritus, urticaria, and hyperhidrosis; however, the detailed mechanisms are still kept unclear. This study aimed to investigate if electro-acupuncture (EA) treatment prevents 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in rats and explore its underlying mechanisms. ACD was induced by sensitizing and challenging with DNFB topically. Rats were treated daily following bilateral subcutaneous stimulation of EA at Zusanli acupoint (ST36) for 1 week. Ear swelling and serum IgE levels were measured. The ear biopsies were obtained for histology. Inflammatory cytokines on the dermatological ear and local acupoint tissue were assayed. Spleen lymphocytes and the homogenized supernatant of local acupuncture area were used to co-culture for flow cytology and immune analysis, respectively. EA treatment at ST36 notably inhibited ear swelling and inflammatory cell infiltration on DNFB-induced ACD. EA also decreased serum IgE concentrations and alleviated the production of inflammatory cytokines in dermatological ear. Additionally, EA treatment attenuated the percentage of CD4 + IFN-γ + and CD4 + IL-4 + T cells associated with ACD. Interestingly, secretion of interleukin (IL)-10 in the local acupoint tissue following EA stimulation was increased and showed suppressive function when co-cultured with the spleen lymphocytes from DNFB group. Lastly, EA treatment demonstrably suppressed p38 MAPK activation in DNFB-treated rats. Our findings suggest that EA treatment at ST36 may ameliorate inflammation associated with DNFB-induced ACD via triggering local IL-10 production and inhibiting p38 MAPK activation, which provide an alternative and promising therapy for ACD.

Increasing evidence indicates anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) therapy. However, its underlying mechanism on delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), a classic allergic inflammatory disease, still remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the immunomodulatory mechanism of EA intervention in a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced DTH. Mice were randomly divided into four groups: Control, OVA-DTH, DTH + EA, DTH + Sham. "Zusanli" acupoint (ST36) was used for DTH + EA, whereas a non-acupoint (localized 5 mm below the "Zusanli" acupoint) was selected for DTH + Sham. Footpad thickness was checked, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells was estimated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Levels of IgG and IgE in serum of different groups and inflammatory cytokines in the supernatants from homogenized footpads, including IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-5, were determined by ELISA. Cell proliferation of spleen lymphocytes was assayed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT). The frequency of CD4 + IFN-γ + and CD4 + IL-4 + T cells was analyzed with flow cytometry. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression of T-bet and GATA-3 were evaluated by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Our data showed EA treatment at acupoint ST36 relieved the pathological progression of DTH responses via reduction in footpad swelling, infiltration of inflammatory cells, levels of IgG and IgE as well as decreased production of IFN-γ and TNF-α in homogenized footpad tissue. Moreover, detailed studies were performed revealing that EA attenuated the percentage of CD4 + IFN-γ + T cells and prevented Th cells differentiation into Th1 cells, and this results from inhibiting secretion of IFN-γ and suppressing expression of T-bet, an IFN-γ transcription factor. The results indicated that EA treatment improved Th1-mediated allergic skin inflammation via restoring Th1/Th2 balance by curbing Th1 differentiation. These findings suggested that EA at acupoint ST36 might be a useful and promising therapeutic for allergic inflammatory as well as Th1-mediated inflammation response.

Background: The effect of electroacupuncture (EA) is affected by both the acupuncture point selection and the frequency of stimulation. However, little is known regarding acupuncture point and simulation frequency selection. Neuronal activation of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is one of the important targets of EA for modulating gastrointestinal function. This study investigated the effects of various combinations of EA frequencies and acupuncture points on NTS neurons., Methods: Rats were randomly divided into normal, 2 Hz EA, 100 Hz EA and the alternate 2/100 Hz EA groups. Then rats in each group were randomly divided into the following two subgroups according to the acupuncture point: ST 36 group and ST 25 group. All the rats underwent electrode implantation surgery. Rats in all EA groups received one treatment with EA (a constant square wave at, 2 Hz,100 Hz or 2/100 Hz frequencies with intensities ranging from 1 to 2 mA), and NTS neuronal activation was recorded before and after EA treatment. Finally, to confirm the effect of EA on the NTS, minimal acupuncture was administered and its effect on NTS was detected., Results: ST 36 stimulated with 2 Hz EA significantly increased the population of excited NTS neurons and spike frequency. However, ST 36 stimulated with 100 Hz or 2/100 Hz EA produced only a transient effect on the activity of NTS neurons and did not induce any effect on the spike frequency. Furthermore, the excitatory effect of 100 Hz or 2/100 Hz EA on NTS neurons in the ST 36 group was lower than 2 Hz EA at the same point. When applied to ST 25, 2 Hz EA had no significant excitatory effect on NTS neurons or spike frequency. However, 100 Hz EA or 2/100 Hz EA at ST 25 decreased both NTS neuronal excitability and spike frequency. By comparing the effects of different EA combinations, it was shown 2 Hz EA applied to ST 36 had the strongest excitatory effect on NTS neurons, while 100 Hz EA applied to ST 25 had the greatest inhibitory effect. Minimal acupuncture stimulation produced no effect on NTS neurons., Conclusion: EA's effects on NTS were mainly affected by the acupuncture point selection, but the frequency of EA also played a role. Different combinations of acupuncture points and frequency selection may lead to different EA effects on NTS neuronal excitability.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at ST36 (EA ST36) on gastric emptying and mucosal blood flow during intragastric resuscitation with pyruvate-enriched oral rehydration solution (Pyr-ORS) in scalded rats., Methods: The rats were subjected to a 35% total body surface area (TBSA) of scald injury and randomly divided into five groups (N=24) and two subgroups (n=12) in each group. The Pyr-ORS was delivered intragastrically according to the Parkland formula immediately after scalding at a dose of 1 mL kg(-1) %TBSA(-1) in 1 h. In these animals, the bilateral Zusanli points (ST36) were electroacupunctured at a constant voltage (2 mA and 2-100 HZ) for 0.5 h immediately after intragastric resuscitation. At 2 and 4 h after scalding, the gastric emptying rate (GER) and gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF) were determined, and the motilin levels of the plasma and gastric tissues were also analyzed at two time points, respectively., Results: GER and GMBF were markedly decreased in groups with scalding and resuscitation, compared with the sham groups at two time points (P<0.05), but they were greatly improved in groups byEAST36 at 2 and 4 h after sustaining scald injuries (P<0.05). Bilateral vagotomy further aggravated the reduction of GER and GMBF in scalded rats. EA after gastric vagotomy failed to raise GER and GMBF. Neither EA nor vagotomy had effects on the reduced motilin levels of plasma and gastric tissues in animals after scalding., Conclusion: EA ST36 has a significant effect on improving gastric emptying and mucosal ischemia in the oral resuscitation of burn injury, possibly through the activation of a cholinergic nerve-dependent mechanism. In addition, EA ST36 showed no effects on motilin levels, but requires further investigations., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To investigate whether electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST36) prevents intestinal barrier and remote organ dysfunction following prolonged hemorrhagic shock through a vagus anti-inflammatory mechanism., Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to about 45% of total blood volume loss followed by delayed fluid replacement (DFR) with Ringer lactate 3h after hemorrhage. In a first study, rats were randomly divided into six groups: (1) EAN: EA at non-channel acupoints followed by DFR; (2) EA: EA at ST36 after hemorrhage followed by DFR; (3) VGX/EA: vagotomy (VGX) before EA at ST36 and DFR; (4) VGX/EAN: VGX before EAN and DFR; (5) α-bungarotoxin (α-BGT)/EA: intraperitoneal injection of α-BGT before hemorrhage, followed by EA at ST36 and DFR; and (6) α-BGT/EAN group: α-BGT injection before hemorrhage followed by EAN and DFR. Survival and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were monitored over the next 12 h. In a second study, with the same grouping and treatment, cytokine levels in plasma and intestine, organ parameters, gut injury score, gut permeability to 4 kDa FITC-dextran, and expression and distribution of tight junction protein ZO-1 were evaluated., Results: MAP was significantly lowered after blood loss; EA at ST36 improved the blood pressure at corresponding time points 3 and 12 h after hemorrhage. EA at ST36 reduced tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin (IL)-6 levels in both plasma and intestine homogenates after blood loss and DFR, while vagotomy or intraperitoneal injection of α-BGT before EA at ST36 reversed its anti-inflammatory effects, and EA at ST36 did not influence IL-10 levels in plasma and intestine. EA at ST36 alleviated the injury of intestinal villus, the gut injury score being significantly lower than that of EAN group (1.85 ± 0.33 vs 3.78 ± 0.59, P < 0.05). EA at ST36 decreased intestinal permeability to FITC-dextran compared with EAN group (856.95 ng/mL ± 90.65 ng/mL vs 2305.62 ng/mL ± 278.32 ng/mL, P < 0.05). EA at ST36 significantly preserved ZO-1 protein expression and localization at 12 h after hemorrhage. However, EA at non-channel acupoints had no such effect, and abdominal vagotomy and α-BGT treatment could weaken or eliminate the effects of EA at ST36. Besides, EA at ST36 decreased blood aminotransferase, MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase and creatinine vs EAN group at corresponding time points. At the end of 12-h experiment, the survival rate of the EA group was significantly higher than that of the other groups., Conclusion: EA at ST36 attenuates the systemic inflammatory response, protects intestinal barrier integrity, improves organ function and survival rate after hemorrhagic shock via activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory mechanism.