针刺功能性消化不良患者足三里穴对其胃运动功能的影响

目的针刺功能性消化不良（functional dyspepsia，FD）患者足三里穴（ST36），采用胃电测定和胃排空测定的方法，观察胃运动的变化，为临床治疗提供依据。方法根据罗马Ⅲ标准，确定FD患者。预先测定FD患者进餐前、后胃电活动的变化和B超测定胃排空，采用针刺FD患者双侧足三里穴（连续3d），再测定进餐前、后胃电活动的变化，以及B超测定胃排空，观察针刺FD患者足三里穴对其胃动力作用的影响。同时设立健康志愿对照组。结果FD患者在进餐前后，胃电活动呈现不规律的电活动改变。胃的排空呈现减慢趋势。与正常对照组相比，存在显著性差异。而给予针刺足三里后，患者胃电活动逐渐趋于规律，且胃排空较未针刺状况相比，明显加快，接近于正常对照组。结论针刺FD患者足三里穴，可以调节FD患者胃电节律紊乱，改善胃排空障碍。     

四种胃肠激素在糖尿病胃动力障碍中的作用

目的通过对糖尿病大鼠模型离体胃窦平滑肌自发性收缩运动的研究,探讨血浆和胃窦组织中生长抑素(SS),血管活性肠肽(VIP),胃动素(MTL),P物质(SP)等在糖尿病胃动力障碍中的作用。方法建立糖尿病大鼠模型,制备实验组和对照组大鼠离体胃窦环行肌及纵行肌肌条,应用张力换能器测定其静息张力、平均振幅、收缩频率等运动指标;用放免法同批测定两组大鼠血浆和胃窦组织中SS,VIP,MTL和SP含量。结果①糖尿病组胃窦肌条自发收缩运动的多项指标均较对照组明显降低(P<0.01);②糖尿病组血浆中SS、VIP、MTL增加,SP降低;胃窦组织中SS增加,MTL和SP降低,VIP无变化;③血浆和胃组织SS与胃运动指标呈负相关;血浆VIP与MTL与胃运动指标呈负相关;血浆和胃组织SP和胃运动指标无明显相关性。结论①糖尿病多伴有胃运动功能障碍;②血浆和胃组织中胃肠激素含量变化在糖尿病胃动力障碍的发病中有一定作用。     

Effects of electro-needling at Zusanli on stress gastric ulcer in rats: Changes in nitric oxide and catecholamine

AIM: To investigate the effects of electro-needling at Zusanli (ST36) on changes of nitric oxide (NO), dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) in rats with stress gastric ulcer. METHODS: By biochemical methods the changes in contents of NO, DA and NE in gastric antral mucosa, corporal ventriculi mucosa and in blood after electro-needling (EN) were analysed. For observation all animals were randomly divided into four groups: stress group, EP after stress group, stress after EP group and control group. RESULTS: NO content in serum of stress gastric ulcer rats (5.78 ± 1.49 μmol/L) was significantly decreased, as compared with the control group (13.30 ± 2.75 μmol/L; P < 0.01). DA content in gastric antral mucosa was markedly decreased (3.31 ± 0.67 ng/mg vs 6.78 ± 4.65 ng/mg, P < 0.05). DA in corporal ventriculi mucosa showed a tendency to increase. EN at Zusanli made NO level recover in stress gastric ulcer rats (7.91 ± 1.11 μmol/L), as compared with the stress group (P < 0.01). EN regulated DA and NE contents in antrum and corpora ventriculi mucosa bi-directionally, i.e., the contents were decreased when they formerly rose, and increased when formerly fell, respectively, as compared with the stress group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: EN has a protective effect on the gastric mucosa. EN bi-directionally regulates DA and NE, and the vascular relaxation partially brought about by NO regulates the gastric mucosal blood flow, and strengthens the defensive function of the gastric mucosa.     

Role of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in pathogenesis of ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in rats

To elucidate the possible role of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the pathogenesis of acute gastric mucosal damage, rats were treated intragastrically with 1.0 ml 96% ethanol with or without intravenous or intraperitoneal coadministration of VIP (1 nmol/liter to 1 mol/liter/100 g). VIP was found to double the mean lesion area when compared with that induced by ethanol alone (P<0.05), an effect that was prevented by VIP antagonist (1 mol/liter/100 g). A substance P antagonist (1 mol/liter/100 g) also reduced the extent of gastric damage induced by coadministration of VIP and ethanol. VIP antagonist or substance P antagonist significantly reduced ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage. Gastric mucosal levels of LTB₄, LTC₄, VIP, and substance P were significantly increased in ethanol-treated rats as compared with saline-treated animals (P<0.05). The augmentation of ethanol-induced damage by VIP was associated with increased gastric mucosal levels of LTB₄. In VIP-treated rats, gastric mucosal levels of substance P were found to be significantly increased compared with control rats (P<0.05). Administration of VIP to pyloric-ligated rats significantly increased gastric acid output and blood pepsinogen A levels as compared with saline treated rats (P<0.05). Ketotifen, a mast cell stabilizer (100 g/100 g), administered orally 30 min before damage induction by ethanol, with or without VIP, totally abolished the damage of the surface epithelium of the entire gastric mucosa and significantly reduced the mucosal levels of LTC₄ and LTB₄ (P<0.05). It is suggested that VIP is involved in the pathogenesis of acute ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage. The effective mucosal protection by ketotifen suggests a role for mast cells and their mediators in the pathogenesis of acute gastric mucosal damage.     

Effects of electroacupuncture on cardiac and gastric activities in acute myocardial ischemia rats

AIM： To observe the effect of electroacupuncture （EA） of ＂Neiguan＂ （PC6） and ＂Gongsun＂ （SP4） on pathological changes of the heart and stomach in rats with acute myocardial ischemia （AMI）, and to explore its underlying mechanism. METHODS： Fifty Wistar rats were randomized into control, model, PC6, SP4 and PC6 ＋ SP4 groups （n = 8 each group）. An AMI model was established by occlusion of the descending anterior branch （DAB） of the left coronary artery. ECG-ST of cervico-thoracic lead and electrogastrogram （EGG） were recorded. EA was applied to PC6, SP4 and PC6 ＋ SP4 groups, respectively. At the end of experiments, the rats were transcardicalty perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde, and the heart base myocardium, gastric antrum and duodenum tissues were sampled, sectioned and stained with a reduced form of nicotinamideadenine dinucleotide phosphate （NADPH）-diaphorase histochemical method for displaying nitric oxide synthase （NOS） activity. RESULTS： After AMI, ECG-ST values elevated. After EA, the elevated ECG-ST values at 20 min in PC6group, at 30 min in PC6 ＋ SP4 and SP4 groups had no significant differences in comparison with their respective basal values before AMI. Following AMI, the amplitude and frequency of slow waves of EGG decreased remarkably （P 〈 0.05）. At 30 min after EA, the mean amplitude and frequency of slow waves of EGG in the three EA groups had no marked differences compared with their individual basal levels and those in the control group. After AMI, the mean integral grey values of NOS-positive product in myocardium, gastric antrum and duodenum tissues in the model group increased remarkably in comparison with the control group, while those in three EA groups were lower than those in the model group. No significant differences were found in ECG-ST and EGG improvement among the three EA groups. However, EA of PC6 had a better effect on ECG-ST and EA of PC4 had a better effect on EGG, respectively. CONCLUSION： EA of PC6, SP4 and PC6 ＋ SP     

电针足阳明经穴对胃粘膜损伤大鼠胃粘膜血流量及生长抑素的影响

目的 :观察电针足阳明经“四白”、“天枢”、“足三里”穴对胃粘膜损伤大鼠胃窦和延髓内生长抑素(SS)含量的影响及与胃粘膜损伤、胃粘膜血流量的关系 ,以探讨经脉 -脏腑相关的物质基础。方法 :健康 SD大鼠 6 0只 ,随机分为正常对照组 (对照组 ) ,模型组 ,针刺四白组、天枢组及非穴点组共 6组 ,以乙醇灌胃造成胃粘膜损伤大鼠模型 ,观察电针大鼠足三里、天枢、四白穴对胃粘膜血流量 (氢气清除法 )的影响 ,用放免分析法检测大鼠胃窦及延髓 SS含量。结果 :胃粘膜血流量在胃粘膜损伤后明显降低 ,针刺四白、天枢、足三里及非穴点后 ,均有不同程度升高 ,尤以足三里和四白组升高明显 (P<0 .0 1) ;胃窦及延髓 SS模型组较对照组升高 (P<0 .0 5 ,<0 .0 1) ,而针刺四白、足三里组升高不明显 (P>0 .0 5 )。结论 :胃窦、延髓 SS含量变化与胃粘膜血流量的改变有一定关系 ,电针足阳明经四白、足三里穴可能通过对胃窦及延髓 SS含量的改变来影响胃粘膜血流量 ,促进胃粘膜损伤的修复。     

Effect of acupuncture at Foot-Yangming Meridian on gastric mucosal blood flow, gastric motility and brain-gut peptide

AIM： To observe the effect of acupuncture at Foot- Yangming Meridian on gastric mucosal blood flow （GMBF）, gastric motility and brain-gut peptide.
METHODS： Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups： normal control group, model group （group with gastric mucosal damage, GMD）, Sibai group （with acupuncture at Sibai point ＋ GMD）, Tianshu group （with acupuncture at Tianshu point ＋ GMD）, Zusanli group （with acupuncture at Zusanli point ＋ GMD） and non-acupoint group （with acupuncture at non-acupoint ＋ GMD）. The GMD model group was induced by infusing pure alcohol into gastric cavity. H2 Gas Clearance Test （HGCT） was used to measure GMBF, the frequency and amplitude of gastric motility were measured by the method of aerocyst, the content of brain-gut peptide in sinus ventriculi and bulbus medullae were detected by radioimmunoassay.
RESULTS： Inhibitory effect of the frequency and amplitude of gastric motility were shown in model group, and the rates of frequency and amplitude changes were remarkably different from the normal control group （-19.41 ± 17.21 vs-4.71 ± 10.32, P 〈 0.05; -51.61 ± 29.02 vs 1.81 ± 14.12, P 〈 0.01）. In comparison with control group, the GMBF was 0.52 ± 0.161 mL vs 1.03 ± 0.255 mL per 100g tissue/min, P 〈 0.01, the content of motilin in sinus ventriculi and bulbus medullae was 63.04 ± 7.77 pg/mL vs 72.91 ± 8.42 pg/mL, P 〈 0.05 and 50.96 ± 8.77 pg/mL vs 60.76 ± 8.05 pg/mL, P 〈 0.05, but the content of somatostatin in sinus ventriculi and bulbus medullae was 179.85 ± 43.13 ng/g vs 90.54 ± 40.42 ng/g, P 〈 0.01 and 532.86 ± 122.58 ng/g vs 370.91 ± 76.29 ng/g, P 〈 0.05,respectively. In comparison with model group, the amplitude of gastric motility was 1.52 ± 20.13, -6.52 ± 23.31, 6.92 ± 25.21 vs -51.61 ± 29.02, P 〈 0.01 and GMBF was 0.694 ± 0.160 mL vs 0.893 ± 0.210 mL, 1.038 ± 0.301 mL vs 0.52 ± 0.161 mL per 100g tissue/rain, P 〈 0.01, respectively in Tianshu, Sibai and Zusanli groups, the content of moti     

血管活性肠肽参与电针对大鼠胃粘膜损伤的保护作用

目的：探讨血管活性肠肽(VIP)参与电针对胃粘膜损伤大鼠保护作用的机制。方法：采用束缚冷应激胃粘膜损伤大鼠模型，通过放射免疫测定法和中枢迷走背核复合体(DVC)微量注射，观察电针对各组外周血、胃粘膜和脑组织的VIP含量的变化，胃粘膜血流量(GMBF)、损伤指数(LI)和跨壁电位差(PD)的影响。结果：电针模型组外周血、胃粘膜和脑组织VIP含量均增加，GMBF、PD也明显增加，LI下降；中枢DVC微量注射VIP后，外周血和胃粘膜中VIP含量增加。结论：VIP作为信号分子，通过神经内分泌免疫网络系统对胃粘膜损伤具有整体调控作用。     

白萝卜提取物对胃动力的影响

目的探讨萝卜提取物（Crude radish extract,Ecr）对胃动力的作用,为开发中药提供新的途径。方法在前期工作的基础上,采用灌胃给药方法,给大鼠以最有效剂量的萝卜提取物按60mg/kg灌胃后,经胃电记录,观察其对胃运动的影响,并对其对中枢支配胃运动的迷走复合体（dorsal vagal complex,DVC）中神经元放电频率的变化以及c-Fos表达的情况为标志,观察上述两个核团中神经元被激活状况,来探讨萝卜提取物促胃动力的作用机制。结果给药30min大鼠的胃电变化最为明显,给药45min后药物的作用逐渐降低,给药60min后胃电的变化基本接近于正常对照组。神经元的放电和Fos的表达情况与胃电变化情况相近。结论萝卜提取物对胃有较为明显的动力作用,而且按60mg/kg给药后的30min其促动力作用最为明显。     

损毁孤束核对电针足三里穴抗大鼠应激性胃溃疡作用的影响

目的:探讨孤束核(NTS)在电针(EA)足三里穴抗大鼠应激性胃溃疡中的作用.方法:健康♂SD大白鼠56只随机分为应激组、EA 应激组、NTS电损毁组、NTS假损毁组.通过脑立体定向仪电损毁大鼠孤束核,采用束缚-浸水制备大鼠应激性胃溃疡模型,分别测定各组胃黏膜损伤指数(UI)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量.结果:与应激组比较,EA 应激组UI明显减少(t=9.5071,P<0.01),SOD活性升高(t=3.8729,P<0.01),MDA降低(t=2.3578,P<0.05).NTS电损毁组分别与假损毁组和EA 应激组比较UI提高(t=4.4223,7.2579,均P<0.01),SOD活性降低(t=3.5625,3.7242,均P<0.01),MDA含量升高(t=2.9045,2.4960,均P<0.05).结论:电损毁孤束核后,电针足三里穴对应激性胃黏膜损伤的保护作用减弱.     

针刺胃经穴对M受体阻断大鼠胃电及脑肠肽的影响

目的 :探讨针刺足阳明经对胃电活动影响的外周通路及物质基础。方法 :将 33只大鼠分为 4组 ,对照组、足三里组、阿托品组、足三里加阿托品组。以胃电慢波振幅变化率、高活动相时程比、快波峰簇数及胃动素(MTL)、胃泌素 (GAS)、P物质 (SP)等脑肠肽为指标 ,观察 M受体阻断后针刺足三里对胃电及脑肠肽的影响。结果 :针刺足三里使大鼠胃电慢波振幅变化率、高活动相时程比及快波峰簇数增高 ,血浆及胃窦组织内 MTL、SP升高。M受体被阻断后 ,胃电活动及脑肠肽呈下降趋势。若再施加针刺可部分取消 M受体阻断对胃电的抑制效应 ,同时 MTL、SP释放增加。结论 :迷走胆碱能神经 M受体被阻断后 ,针刺足三里信号可能通过外周 SP等肽能神经调整胃功能活动。     

电针抗应激性胃溃疡大鼠脑组织和胃粘膜中一氧化氮合酶的变化

观察应激性胃溃疡大鼠脑组织和胃粘膜中一氧化氮合酶（NOS）活性的变化．并对电外足三里穴和阳陵泉穴NOS的变化及与胃粘膜损伤的关系作了比较。结果发现,应激性胃溃疡大鼠脑组织和胃粘膜NOS均增高，尤其是胃粘膜NOS增高非常显著（P＜0.01）；电针足三里使脑和胃NOS回降，应激前先电针更为明显，使胃溃疡损伤指数显著下降（P＜0.01）；而电针阳陵泉．与应激组相比虽也下降，但无统计学意义。提示NOS参与了电针对应激所致胃粘膜损伤的保护．这种保护作用可能与中枢和肠神经系统对胃功能的双重调节有关，同时NOS的变化与电针胃经足三里穴位特异性有一定的联系。     

肝硬化大鼠肠道动力的变化及机制

目的观察肝硬化大鼠肠道动力及其胃肠激素的变化。方法2 0只Wister大鼠随机分为肝硬化模型组和对照组,采用葡聚糖蓝-2 0 0 0为胃肠内标记物,观察大鼠肠道传输的变化,同时测定大鼠血浆P物质、血管活性肠肽及生长抑素的含量,免疫组化染色观察空肠组织P物质、血管活性肠肽及生长抑素分布的变化。结果与对照组比较,肝硬化组大鼠小肠动力明显减弱(P<0 0 1) ,血浆及空肠组织中血管活性肠肽、生长抑素的含量及分布明显增加(P <0 0 1或P <0 0 5 ) ,P物质的含量及分布则显著减少(P <0 0 1)。结论肝硬化大鼠小肠运动功能减退与P物质、血管活性肠肽及生长抑素的变化有关。     

Tungstic acid reduction of cold-resistant stress-induced ulceration in rats

Sprague-Dawley rats were restrained at 4°C for 2 h (stress). Tungstic acid in a single dose of 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 or 300 mg/kg (dissolved in distilled water) was administered intragastrically to animals 30 min prior to stress. Stress induced significant gastric mucosal damage, whereas tungstic acid pretreatment dose-dependently reduced lesion formation. Doses of tungstic acid of 1 mg/kg and higher significantly (P < 0.05–0.001) decreased ulcers. The mucosal mast cell counts in rats pretreated with tungstic acid were significantly higher than those of control rats. In motility experiments using oral administration of amberlite pellets, pretreatment with tungstic acid dose-dependently reduced the gastric emptying rate during a 1 h period of stress. Gastric mucosal xanthine oxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, after pretreatment with a single dose of tungstic acid, were not altered in stressed animals. It is suggested that tungstic acid effectively antagonizes stress-induced gastric ulcers, possibly by decreasing motility and mass cell degranulation. Xanthine oxidase and SOD activities and mucous content were not changed in the gastric mucosa by the present method of tungstic acid administration.     

Effect of pre-moxibustion on apoptosis and proliferation of gastric mucosa cells

AIM： TO observe the effects of pre-moxibustion on apoptosis and proliferation of gastric mucosal cell in rats with stress-induced ulcer, and to analyze the relationship between those effects and the expression of heat-shock protein 70 （HSP70）.
METHODS： Sixty healthy Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups, namely group A, B, C and D. The animal model of stress ulcer was established by water immersion and restraint stress. The rats in group A, B, and D served as the restraint, model, and non-acupoint controls, respectively, while those in group C received moxibustion at Zusanli and Uangmen points. Immunohistochemical methodology was used to detect the expression of HSP70, apoptosis index （AI, × 10^-6/μm^2） and proliferation index （PCNA-LI, × 10^-6/μm^2）. The mucosal expression of transforming growth factor α （TGF-α） was detected by radioimmunoassay.
RESULTS： IVloxibustion at Zusanli and Liangmen points significantly decreased the gastric injury and the apoptosis of gastric mucosal cells, while markedly increased the mucosal expression of TGF-α and HSP70 as well as the proliferation of gastric mucosal cells. Compared with group A, ulcer index （UI） （26.8 ± 9.8 vs 12.0 ± 5.9, P 〈 0.01）, AI （9.6 ± 4.2 vs 4.4 ± 2.6, P 〈 0.05） and expression of HSP70 （9.6 ± 4.2 vs 4.4 ± 2.6, P 〈 0.05） were significantly increased, but the content of TGF-α （104.7 ± 51.2 pg/mL vs 254.0 ± 86.9 pg/mL, P 〈 0.01） and PCNA-LI （6.9 ± 4.7 vs 14.9 ± 4.6, P 〈 0.05） were significantly decreased in group B. However, ulcer index values （UI） and AI were obviously lower in group C compared to groups B and D （14.1 ± 5.4 vs 26.8 ± 9.8 and 26.2 ± 7.7, P 〈 0.01, 3.0 ± 1.6 vs 9.6 ± 4.2 and 8.2 ± 5.2, P 〈0.05, respectively）, but content of TGF-α （237.0 ± 72.6 pg/mL vs 104.7 ± 51.2 pg/mL and 154.1 ± 61.3 pg/mL, P 〈0.01） and expression of HSP70 （0.13 ± 0.03 vs 0.08 ± 0.06 and 0.06 ± 0.04, P 〈 0.05） were higher in group C. Furth     

电针对糖尿病胃轻瘫大鼠胃电活动与延髓神经元和星状胶质细胞可塑性的影响

[目的]观察电针对糖尿病胃轻瘫（DGP）大鼠胃电活动与延髓迷走孤束复合体（VSC）内神经元和星状胶质细胞可塑性变化的影响。[方法]实验大鼠分为空白对照（空白）组、DGP模型（模型）组、模型加电针足三里穴（足三里）组和模型加电针三阴交穴（三阴交）组。模型制备采用腹腔注射5％四氧嘧啶和熟地灌胃诱导的方法。实验3周后记录大鼠的胃电活动,取延髓进行抗Fos蛋白和抗胶质原纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）的免疫组化染色。[结果]与空白组比较,模型组的胃电平均频率和振幅明显降低。而足三里组和三阴交组的平均频率和振幅较模型组明显升高（P〈O．01,〈0．05）;以足三里组升高更明显,与三阴交组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。除空白组外,Fos阳性神经元、GFAP阳性星状胶质细胞集中表达于VSC。以模型组的Fos和GFAP表达最高,而足三里组与三阴交组的表达较模型组明显减少,且它们之间差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。[结论]针刺可改善糖尿病胃运动功能障碍,延髓VSC内免疫阳性神经元和胶质细胞可能参与了此调节作用。     

Effects of electro-acupuncture on 5-HT,NOS and the gastric mucosa of stress rats

AIM: To study the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT) levels, nitrous oxide (NOS) levels, nitric oxide (NO) levels, and the gastric mucosa in stress rats.METHODS: The changes of 5-HT and NOS were measured in the gastric mucosa, and NO and 5-HT were measured in the serum by biochemical methods. The gastric mucosa was examined pathohistologically in the stress rats with gastric mucosa damage after EA. The changes before and after stress by EA were compared.RESULTS: EA decreased the gastric mucosa damage index in the stress rats (2.71 ± 0.40 to 1.86 ± 0.69, P < 0.01). EA normalized NOS level in gastric mucosa to the control group. The changes before stress by EA was more obvious than that after stress. EA lowered the 5-HT levels in the gastric mucosa (μg/g wet weight, 6.91 ± 3.08 to 4.51 ± 1.62, P < 0.01). EA recovered the NO level in serum of the stress rats (μmol/L, 5.78 ± 1.49 to 7.91 ± 1.11, P < 0.05), and increased the levels of 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in serum continuously.CONCLUSION: EA stimulation normalizes the NOS and NO levels in the gastric mucosa of stress rats. EA also lowers the high 5-HT levels and induces NO release.     

Different effects of electroacupuncture on esophageal motility and serum hormones in cats with esophagitis

SUMMARY.  We aim to investigate the effects of different electroacupuncture (EA) frequencies at ST-36 on esophageal motility, and to compare the effect of EA on serum gastrin (GAS), motilin (MTL), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Thirty-two cats were divided into four equal groups. All animals underwent a Heller myotomy. After esophagitis developed two frequencies (2/15 Hz or 2/100 Hz) of EA were delivered into ST-36 (LEA group [low EA], HEA group [high EA]). Animals submitted to EA on a non-point region (EANP) were used as controls (LEANP group, HEANP group), respectively. Esophageal motility was continuously monitored. The lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) decreased significantly after myotomy. The LESP decreased in both LEA and LEANP cats, and in LEA cats the pressure decrease was greater. The LESP increased in the HEA group, which was higher than that in the HEANP group ( P  < 0.05). High-frequency EA significantly increased the peak amplitude in esophageal peristalsis. There was a decrease in serum GAS and MTL in LEA cats compared with LEANP cats (both P  < 0.01). GAS and MTL were higher in the HEA group than in the HEANP group (both P  < 0.01). Serum VIP decreased in the HEA group ( P  < 0.05), while it increased in the LEA group ( P  < 0.05), compared with EANP groups, respectively. EA with a high frequency at ST-36 enhances LESP as well as esophageal motility, while EA with a low frequency decreases LESP. The effect of EA is acupoint-specific, and this effect appears to be mediated through GAS, MTL and VIP.