Atropine-induced gastric dysrhythmia is not normalized by electroacupuncture.
Acupuncture has been shown to improve the regularity of gastric myoelectric activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether atropine-induced gastric dysrhythmia can be normalized by electroacupuncture. Fifteen healthy male volunteers were enrolled for this study. Each subject was studied for three sessions in a randomized sequence which included electroacupuncture on the Zusanli (St 36) points with or without premedication with atropine and a placebo stimulation on a nonacupoint. Cutaneous EGG was performed for 30 min at the baseline, 30 min during acupuncture, and for an additional 30 min after acupuncture. Serum gastrin, motilin, and human pancreatic polypeptide (hPP) levels were also measured. When applying 2 Hz of electrical stimulation on the Zusnali point, there was a significant increase in the percentage of normal frequency (2-4 cpm) during acupuncture (baseline versus acupuncture, 82.09 +/- 12.37% versus 93.08 +/- 8.17%, P < 0.01). There was a significant decrease in the percentage of bradygastria as well as tachygastria during 2 Hz of electrical stimulation on the Zusnali point. Using intravenous atropine immediately before electroacupuncture, the percentage of normal frequency during acupuncture and postacupuncture periods decreased significantly (baselines versus acupuncture and postacupuncture, 83.86 +/- 13.79% versus 55.07 +/- 29.44% and 56.76 +/- 33.44%, P < 0.01). There was a significant decrease in serum PP after intravenous atropine. This observation indicated that atropine-induced gastric dysrhythmia might be mediated partly via the vagal pathway. However, atropine-induced gastric dysrhythmia is not normalized by electroacupuncture.
Chang
Chi-Sen
CS
Division of Gastroenterology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University, Taiwan.
Chou
Jen-Wei
JW
Wu
Chun-ying
CY
Chang
Yung-Hsien
YH
Ko
Chung-Wang
CW
Chen
Gran-Hum
GH
D000328:Adult; D001285:Atropine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005755:Gastrins / Q000097:blood; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009037:Motilin / Q000097:blood; D010191:Pancreatic Polypeptide / Q000097:blood
D005755:Gastrins; D009037:Motilin; D010191:Pancreatic Polypeptide; D001285:Atropine