Typical GSW tracings in the fed state at different sessions.

<p>(A) GSW on baseline. (B) GSW at RD session. (C) GSW at RD+AEA session. (D) GSW at RD+EA session. (E) GSW at RD+sham AEA session. (F) GSW at RD+atropine session. (G) GSW at RD+atropine+AEA session.</p

Effects of EA and AEA on RD-induced abnormal GSW.

<p>The percentage of GSW decreased significantly after RD in Control and Sham AEA group (^#P<0.05 RD vs baseline). While the abnormal GSW induced by RD were repaired significantly after using EA or AEA with RD (**P<0.05 RD plus EA/AEA vs RD). The effect between EA and AEA on repairing the impaired GSW induced by RD was no significant difference (P = 0.32).</p

Experimental protocol.

<p>(A) GSW recordings in the fasting state at baseline and during RD; (B) GSW recordings in the fed state before and during RD or RD plus EA/AEA/sham-AEA; (C) GSW recordings in the fed state before RD and during RD at presence of atropine.</p

Atropine blocked the preventive effect of AEA on RD-induced impairment in GSW.

<p>There was no significant difference of the percentage of GSW among 3 sessions after RD, RD+atropine or RD+atropine+AEA respectively (P>0.05).</p

Effects of atropine treatment on the DF and DP of GSW.

<p>* <i>P</i><0.05 vs. baseline.</p><p>Effects of atropine treatment on the DF and DP of GSW.</p

Effects of RD on GSW at different pressures in fasting state.

<p>The percentage of normal GSW was not changed significantly (P>0.05) after RD with different pressure.</p

Effects of RD on Dominant frequency (DF) and dominant power (DP) of GSW.

<p>(A) DF was not altered significantly (P>0.05) after treatment comparing with that of baseline in each session. (B) EA at ST-36 increased DP of GSW significantly (*P<0.05, vs. baseline).</p

Effects of AEA on RD-induced gastric dysrhythmia.

<p>EA reduced the percentage of bradygastria (B%) significantly during RD (#P<0.05, vs. RD). The percentage of tachygastrias (T%) decreased to 0% after using EA and AEA respectively during RD (^＊P<0.05, vs. RD). The percentage of arrhythmia (A%) decreased significantly as well after using EA and AEA respectively during RD (^※P<0.05, vs. RD).</p

Ameliorating effects of electroacupuncture on dysmotility, inflammation and pain mediated via the autonomic mechanism in a rat model of postoperative ileus

<p>Objective: Postoperative ileus increases healthcare costs and reduces the postoperative qualify of life. The aim of this study was to investigate effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36 and PC6 on gastrointestinal motility in a rat model of postoperative ileus.</p> <p>Methods: Laparotomy was performed in 24 rats (control, sham-EA and EA) for the implantation of serosal electrodes in the stomach and mid-jejunum for measuring gastric and small intestinal slow waves, respectively; electrodes were also placed in the chest underneath the skin for measuring the ECG. Intestinal manipulation (IM, to induce ileus) was performed in 16 rats and immediately after the surgical procedures, EA was performed in 8 rats and sham-EA in the other 8 rats. Small intestinal transit, gastric emptying, postoperative pain, and plasma TNF-α were evaluated in the three groups of rats. </p> <p>Results: 1) Compared with sham-EA, EA accelerated both small intestinal transit (P < 0.05) and gastric emptying (P < 0.05) and improved regularity of small intestinal slow waves. 2) Compared with the control rats (no-IM), IM suppressed vagal activity and increased sympathovagal ratio assessed by the spectral analysis of heart rate variability derived from the ECG, which were significantly prevented by EA. 3) EA significantly reduced pain score at 120min (P<0.05, vs 15 min) after the surgery, which was not seen with sham-EA. 4) Plasma TNF- α was increased by IM (P = 0.02) but suppressed by EA (P = 0.04) but not sham-EA.</p> <p>Conclusions: In a rodent model of postoperative ileus induced by IM, EA at ST36 and PC6 exerts a prokinetic effect on gastric emptying and small intestinal transit, a regulatory effect on small intestinal slow waves and an analgesic effect on postoperative pain possibly mediated via the autonomic-cytokine mechanisms.</p

AEA1 did not alter gastric emptying.

<p>There was no significant difference in gastric emptying among control group, FD+ AEA1 group and FD+sham-EA group.</p