World chinese journal of digestology

Abstract

BACKGROUND The morbidity of slow transit constipation (STC) has been increasing year by year, but the efficacy of commonly used clinical treatments is not completely satisfactory. Studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, massage, and Chinese medicine application have achieved certain curative effects in the treatment of STC. AIM To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of electroacupunture combined with Liumotang on STC in rats. METHODS An STC rat model was established by feeding rats dipheno-xylate, and then rats were treated with electroacupunture, Liumotang, or electroacupunture combined with Liumo-tang. After treatment, the general condition of rats was observed and the number of fecal pellets, fecal water content, and carbon propulsion rate were recorded. ELISA was used to assess the levels of serum nitric oxide (NO) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The expression of aquaporin 3,8,9 (AQP3,8,9), c-kit, and stem cell factor (SCF) and the activity of PI3K/AKT pathway were evaluated by Western blot assay. RESULTS Compared with the electroacupunture group or Liumotang group, the treatment of electroacupunture combined with Liumotang could significantly increase the number of fecal pellets in 24 h, fecal water content, and carbon propulsion rate. Meanwhile, the combined treatment significantly decreased serum NO and eNOS levels in STC rats. Western blot results showed that the treatment of electroacupunture combined with Liumotang could up-regulate the protein expression of c-kit and SCF, while down-regulate the protein expression of AQP3, AQP8, and AQP9 in the colon tissue of STC rats. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT was promoted in the colon tissue of STC rats after the combined treatment. CONCLUSION Electroacupunture combined with Liumotang could relieve the symptoms of STC rats. And this therapeutic effect involves many targets, which is mainly related to regulating water and fluid metabolism, increasing gastrointestinal motility, and promoting gastrointestinal peristaltic.