Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of electroacupuncture(EA) in treating gastrointestinal disorder in acute pancreatitis(AP) patients.Methods: A total of 94 cases of AP patients were divided into acupuncture group(n=56) and control group(n=38).The severity of AP was evaluated according to APACHE Ⅱ and Balthazar CT scoring system.EA(4 Hz

4-6 V) was applied to bilateral Zusanli(ST 36)

Shangjuxu(ST 37)

Xuanzhong(GB 39)

Taichong(LR 3)

and Gongsun(SP 4) for 60 min

twice a day

5 days altogether.Total and segmental colonic transit time(CTT) were determined by using ingestion of radiopaque markers(SITZMARKS) according to the modified Metcalf's method

serum motilin(MTL)

cholecystokinin(CCK)

vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP) contents were assayed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results: Compared with normal values

total and segmental CTT of AP patients(control group) increased apparently(P<0.05)

especially in right colon

serum MTL and CCK contents in both control and treatment groups on the 1st day decreased considerably(P<0.05)

while serum VIP levels of both control and treatment groups on the 1st day increased markedly(P<0.05).In comparison with control group

total and segmental CTT of treatment group decreased significantly(P<0.05).Auto-comparison of both control and treatment groups showed that serum MTL and CCK contents on day 9 were significantly higher than those on day 1(P<0.05)

while serum VIP contents on day 9 in these two groups were both obviously lower than those on day 1(P<0.05).No significant differences were found between treatment group and control group in serum MTL

CCK and VIP levels on the 9th day after the treatment(P>0.05).Conclusion: Acupuncture is able to enhance the gastrointestinal dynamics

improve its motor activity.