Effects of different acupuncture-moxibustion methods on the plasma SP content and expression of colonic SP mRNA of rats with functional constipation

Objective

To explore the effects of different acupuncture-moxibustion methods on the plasma substance P (SP) content, and the expression of colonic SP mRNA of the rats with functional constipation.

Methods

Sixty healthy male SD rats were divided into six groups according to the random number table, including blank control group (group B, n=8), model group (group M, n=11), drug control group (group D, n=8), filiform needle group (group F, n=11), electroacupuncture group (group E, n=11) and moxibustion group (group MB, n=11). The rats in group B and group M accepted no intervention, gavage with cisapride suspension was conducted in group D, and electroacupuncture, filiform needling and moxibustion therapies were carried out in group E, group F and group MB for 6 days. After treatment, the stool quantity and fecal moisture content during 24 h of the rats were observed in each group, colon tissue structure and the acidic mucus in mucosa layer were observed, plasma SP content was detected and the expression of colonic SP mRNA was detected.

Results

Compared with group B, the stool quantity and fecal moisture content during 24 h of the rats in group M decreased significantly (P<0.01); compared with group M, the stool quantity during 24 h of the rats in each group increased (P<0.05 or 0.01), and the fecal moisture content during 24 h of the rats in each group also increased significantly except group MB (P<0.01); compared with group D, the fecal moisture content during 24 h of the rats in group MB decreased (P<0.01); according to the comparison among the groups with different acupuncture-moxibustion methods, there was no difference in the stool quantity during 24 h of the rats in each group (P>0.05), the fecal moisture contents during 24 h of the rats in group F and group E were higher than that of group MB (P<0.01), and there was no difference between group F and group E (P>0.05). HE staining of colon tissue of rats showed that the structure was normal and complete, and there was no difference among each group. PAS staining showed that the acidic mucus level of the rats in group M decreased significantly when compared with group B; compared with group M, the acidic mucus level of the rats in group D, fgroup F, group E and group MB increased in varying degrees. Compared with group B, the plasma SP content of the rats in group M decreased (P<0.05); compared with group M, the plasma SP contents of the rats in group F and group MB increased (P<0.01); the plasma SP contents of the rats in group F, group MB and group E were higher than that of group D (P<0.05 or 0.01); according to the comparison among the groups with different acupuncture-moxibustion methods, the plasma SP content of the rats in group F was higher than that of group MB and electro-acupuncture group (P<0.05), and there was no difference between group MB and group E. Compared with group B, the expression level of colonic SP mRNA of the rats in group M elevated (P<0.05); compared with group M, the expression level of colonic SP mRNA of the rats in the four intervention groups declined (P<0.05); compared with drug group D, there was no difference among group F, group E and group MB (P>0.1); according to the comparison among the groups with different intervention methods, the expression level of colonic SP mRNA of the rats in group MB was lower than that of group F (P<0.05).

Conclusion

The different efficacy of different acupuncture-moxibustion methods in treatment of functional constipation may be related with the mechanism of regulation of plasma SP content and the expression level of colonic SP mRNA.