[Effects of eye-acupuncture therapy on serum and colonic SP and VIP contents in rats with irritable bowel syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of the eye-acupuncture therapy on serum and colonic substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) contents in rats with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) so as to explore its underlying mechanism.


METHODS
Forty male Wistar rats were equally randomized into control group, IBS model group, eye-acupuncture group and medication (Pinaverium bromide, 7.5 mg/kg, twice daily, intragastric administration) group. IBS model was established by giving the rat with chronic stress stimulation (cold-water swimming, tail clamping, electrical shock, etc.) for 18 days. Eye-acupuncture of Xiajiao (Low Energizer) Area, Pi (Spleen) Area, Gan (Liver) Area and Dachang (Large Intestine) Area was given to the rat 20 min, twice daily for 7 d. Histopathological changes of the colon tissue were displayed by HE staining; and serum and colonic SP and VIP contents were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
No significant difference was found among 4 groups in the histopathological changes of the colon. In comparison with normal control group, both serum and colonic SP and VIP contents in model group increased significantly (P < 0.01), while compared with model group, those in eye-acupuncture and medication groups lowered considerably (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Eye-acupuncture can reduce serum and coIonic SP and VIP contents in IBS rats, which may play a role in relieving IBS in eye-acupuncture clinic.
Wang
Yan-jie
YJ
College of Basic Medicine, Liaoning University of Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110032, China. wangyj76@yahoo.com.cn
Wang
De-shan
DS
Guan
Hong-quan
HQ
Wang
Jian
J
Chai
Ji-yan
JY
Zhao
Jin-ru
JR
Han
Xiao-wei
XW
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005123:Eye / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D013373:Substance P / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide