 |
|
Electroacupuncture at PC6 may decrease frequency of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation
October 11, 2007The First Hospital of Peking University, China-Research, has shown that electroacupuncture at PC6 may decrease the frequency of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR), which is the main mechanism underlying gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The study is reported in Issue 35 (September, 2007) of the World Journal of Gastroenterology because of its significant clinical impact.
The study found that electroacupuncture at PC6 can contribute to a decrease of TLESR induced by gastric distention in cats. It also showed that this effect appears to act at the brain stem, and may be mediated through nitric oxide (NO), CCK-A, and mu-opioid receptors.
"Acupuncture has been used to treat functional gastrointestinal disorders in Eastern countries for centuries. Our research aimed to investigate the relationship between acupuncture and TLESR and to discuss its mechanisms," noted principal investigator Peng-Yan Xie, professor and chair of the Department of Gastroenterology at the First Hospital of Peking University. "This research is the first paper to carefully observe the mechanisms of this phenomenon."
The study involved two experiments. One showed that electroacupuncture at PC6 decreased the frequency of TLESR induced by gastric distention in cats, and that it may act at the reticular formation of medulla (RFM) in the brain stem.
In the second experiment, Xie and his colleagues pretreated the cats with saline (2 mL iv. control group), phaclofen (5 mg/kg iv. GABA-B antagonist), cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) (1 mug/kg/h iv.), L-Arginine (200 mg/kg iv.), naloxone (2.5 mumol/kg iv.) and tacrine (5.6 mg/kg ip. cholinesterase inhibitor) respectively before electroacupuncture at PC6, and observed whether the effect of the electroacupuncture was reversed. They found that CCK-8, L-arginine and naloxone reversed the effect of acupuncture. On the other hand, phaclofen and tacrine did not have such an effect.
The main conclusion reported by the investigators is that electric acupoint stimulation at the PC6 results in a significant reduction of the rate of TLESRs induced by gastric distention. This effect appears to act at the brain stem, and may be mediated through NO, CCK-A, and mu-opioid receptors.
World Journal of Gastroenterology
The study involved two experiments. One showed that electroacupuncture at PC6 decreased the frequency of TLESR induced by gastric distention in cats, and that it may act at the reticular formation of medulla (RFM) in the brain stem.
In the second experiment, Xie and his colleagues pretreated the cats with saline (2 mL iv. control group), phaclofen (5 mg/kg iv. GABA-B antagonist), cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) (1 mug/kg/h iv.), L-Arginine (200 mg/kg iv.), naloxone (2.5 mumol/kg iv.) and tacrine (5.6 mg/kg ip. cholinesterase inhibitor) respectively before electroacupuncture at PC6, and observed whether the effect of the electroacupuncture was reversed. They found that CCK-8, L-arginine and naloxone reversed the effect of acupuncture. On the other hand, phaclofen and tacrine did not have such an effect.
The main conclusion reported by the investigators is that electric acupoint stimulation at the PC6 results in a significant reduction of the rate of TLESRs induced by gastric distention. This effect appears to act at the brain stem, and may be mediated through NO, CCK-A, and mu-opioid receptors.
World Journal of Gastroenterology
Scientists identify how gastric reflux may trigger asthma
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center appear to have solved at least a piece of a puzzle that has mystified physicians for years: why so many patients with asthma also suffer from GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
New test could aid children suffering from reflux disease
A nuclear medicine imaging test was used to confirm that children with respiratory problems may be more likely to develop gastroesophageal reflux disease, according to researchers at SNM's 55th Annual Meeting.
Researchers discover correlation between GERD and obesity in females
A group of scientists recently discovered an association between being overweightand a disease called gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in women.
Chocolate, wine, spicy foods may be OK for heartburn, Stanford study finds
Patients have been known to hug Lauren Gerson, MD, so overjoyed are they at hearing her words. What does she say to them? Go ahead and eat chocolate. Indulge your passion for spicy cuisine. Drink red wine.
More Esophageal Sphincter News Articles
 | Innervation of the Mammalian Esophagus (Advances in Anatomy, Embryology and Cell Biology) by W.L. Neuhuber, M. Raab, H.-R. Berthoud, J. Wörl The esophagus is a relatively simple though vital organ. Beyond its role of propelling food from the pharynx to the stomach by a propulsive contraction wave representing the esophageal phase of deglutition, it is more and more recognized as a sensory organ from which a variety of respiratory and cardiovascular reflexes can be triggered, thus cooperating with the larynx in protecting the lower... |
| Treatment of globus by upper esophageal sphincter injection with botulinum A toxin.(Dysphagia Clinic): An article from: Ear, Nose and Throat Journal by Stacey L. Halum, Susan G. Butler, Jamie A. Koufman, Gregory N. Postma This digital document is an article from Ear, Nose and Throat Journal, published by Medquest Communications, LLC on February 1, 2005. The length of the article is 324 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web... | |
| Reflux Mechanisms in Gerd. Analysis of the role of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations. 2005 Edition by Jan Willem Straathof |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |