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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 21, 2006; 12(11): 1761-1765
Published online Mar 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i11.1761
Effect of electro-acupuncture at Foot-Yangming Meridian on somatostatin and expression of somatostatin receptor genes in rabbits with gastric ulcer
Shou-Xiang Yi, Ren-Da Yang, Jie Yan, Xiao-Rong Chang, Ya-Ping Ling
Shou-Xiang Yi, Ren-Da Yang, Jie Yan, Xiao-Rong Chang, Ya-Ping Ling, Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Hunan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha 41007, Hunan Province, China
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.30171136
Correspondence to: Professor Shou-Xiang Yi, Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Hunan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 113 Shaoshan Zhonglu, Changsha 41007,Hunan Province, China. yishouxiang@yahoo.com
Telephone: +86-731-5381161 Fax: +86-731-5381159
Received: June 15, 2005
Revised: June 23, 2005
Accepted: July 7, 2005
Published online: March 21, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To discuss the protective effect of electroacupunc-ture at the Foot-Yangming Meridian on gastric mucosal lesion, somatostatin (SS) and the expression of SS receptor genes (SSR1mRNA ) in rabbits with gastric ulcer and to further explore the relative specificity of meridians and viscera at gene expression level.

METHODS: Forty rabbits were randomly divided into control group (A), gastric ulcer model group (B), Foot-Yangming Meridian group (C), Foot-Shaoyang Meridian group (D) and Foot-Taiyang Meridian group (E). The gastric ulcer model was prepared by infusing alcohol into stomach. Groups C - E were treated with electro-acupuncture at points along the above meridians using meridian stimulating instruments for 7 days respectively. By the end of treatment, the index of gastric ulcer was determined, the amount of epidermal growth factor(EGF) and somatostatin was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). SS-R1mRNA expression in gastric mucosa was determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTS: The value of EGF in model group was ob-viously lower(73.6 ± 14.8 vs 91.3 ± 14.9 pg/mL, P < 0.01) than that in control group. The index of gastric ulcer, content of SS and expression of SSR1mRNA in gastric mucosa were significantly higher than those in control group（24.88 ± 6.29 vs 8.50 ± 2.98 scores, P< 0.01; 2978.6 ± 587.6 vs 1852.4 ± 361.7 mIU/mL, P < 0.01; 2.56± 0.25 vs 1.04 ± 0.36, P<0.01）. The value of EGF in Foot-Yangming Meridian group was higher than that in model group(92.2 ± 6.7 vs 73.6 ± 14.8 pg/mL, P  < 0.01). The index of gastric ulcer, content of SS and expression of SS-R1mRNA in gastric mucosa were significantly lower than those in control group(10.88 ± 3.23 vs 24.88± 6.29 scores, P< 0.01; 1800.2 ± 488 vs 2978.6 ± 587.6 mIU/mL, P < 0.01; 1.07 ± 0.08 vs 2.56 ± 0.25mIU/mL, P < 0.01). Compared to the model group, the content of SS and expression of SSR1mRNA in gastric mucosa in Foot-Shaoyang Meridian group decreased (2441.0 ± 488.vs 2978.6 ± 587.6 mIU/mL, P < 0.05;1.73 ± 0.16 vs 2.56± 0.25 mIU/mL, P < 0.01). But the above parameters in Foot-Taiyang Meridian group did not improve and were significantly different from those in Foot-Yangming Meridian group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Electro-acupuncture at Foot-Yangming Meridian can protect gastric mocusa against injury. The mechanism may be releted to the regulation of brain-gut peptides and the expression of SSR1mRNA.

Keywords: Foot-Yangming Meridian; Electro-acupuncture; Somatostatin; SSR1mRNA