title: [Electroacupuncture at "Zusanli"(ST 36) can inhibit frequencies of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation induced by gastric distention in cats].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Zusanli" (ST 36) and ST 36 + "Neiguan" (PC 6) on gastric distention induced transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) in cats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty cats were randomly divided into model (gastric distension) group, EA-ST 36 group, EA-PC 6 group, EA-ST 36 + PC 6 group, EA-non-acupoint group, EA-ST 36 + saline (2 mL i.v.) group, EA-ST 36 + L-arginine (precusor of nitric oxide, 200 mg/kg i.v.) group, and EA-ST 36+Tacrine (cholinesterase inhibitor, 5.6 mg/kg i. p.) group, with 5 cats being in each group. TLESR model was established by extending the stomach with an air balloon. EA (2 Hz/100 Hz, 3-4 mA) was applied to bilateral ST 36, PC 6 and ST 36 + PC 6 and non-acupoint (exterior-superior site of the hip) while gastric distension. L-Arginine was given 10 min before EA, and Tacrine was given 30 min before EA. The frequency of TLESR and lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) were recorded by using a perfused sleeve assembly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the model group, the frequency of TLESR in 60 min as well as the percentage of common cavity during TLESR were significantly decreased in the EA-ST 36, EA-PC 6, EA-ST 36 + PC 6, EA-ST 36 + saline groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the EA-ST 36 + saline group, the frequency of TLESR in 60 min was up-regulated significantly in the EA-ST 36 + Tacrine group (P < 0.01) rather than in the EA-ST 36 + L-Arginine group, suggesting a reduction of the efficacy of EA-ST 36 by cholinergic suppression (not by nitric oxide). No significant differences were found among the EA-ST 36, EA-PC 6 and EA-ST 36 + PC 6 groups in the frequency of TLESR and the percentage of common cavity (P > 0.05). In comparison with the baseline level, LESP was increased significantly only in the EA-ST 36 group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EA at ST 36 can reduce both the frequency of TLESR and the percentage of common cavity during TLESR in gastric distension cats, which may be mediated by cholinergic pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, First Hospital of Peking University, Beijing 100034, China. hongxiayj@sina.com
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D049630:Esophageal Sphincter, Lower / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D013271:Gastric Dilatation / Q000150:complications*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009126:Muscle Relaxation