title: [Impacts of electroacupuncture on intestinal permeability in sepsis patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the efficacy of electroacupuncture on sepsis and explore its mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty cases were randomized into an observation group (26 cases) and a control group (24 cases). The therapeutic programs of anti-infection, anti-shock, respiratory support and nutritional support were provided, but the drugs that might affect gastrointestinal motility were not prescribed in two groups. In the observation group, on the basic treatment as above, electroacupuncture was applied to Zusanli (ST 36), Tianshu (ST 25), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Xiajuxu (ST 39). The excretion ratio of lactulose to mannitol (L/M) in urine and serum D-lactic acid level were detected before and after treatment, as well as the time of target feeding of the patients in two groups. The efficacy was compared between two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After treatment for 3 days, L/M was (0.083 +/- 0.020) and serum D-lactic acid was (0.155 +/- 0.196) mmol/L in the observation group, which were apparently reduced as compared with (0.123 +/- 0.034) and (0.193 +/- 0.377) mmol/L in the control group respectively (both P < 0.05). The time of target feeding was (93.69 +/- 27.58) h in the observation group, which was shortened apparently than (118.17 +/- 40.28) h in the control group (P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 80.8% (21/26) in the observation group, which was better than 54.2% (13/24) in the control group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conventional treatment combined with electroacupuncture can improve intestinal permeability in sepsis patients, recover intestinal function as quickly as possible to achieve target feeding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Medicine, First Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang University of CM, Hangzhou 310006, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Nong
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Mei-Fei
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Ling-Cong
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D007792:Lactulose / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008353:Mannitol / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D010539:Permeability; D018805:Sepsis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D008353:Mannitol; D007792:Lactulose