Objective To compare the effects of filiform needling

electroacupuncture

and moxibustion on functional constipation in rats

and to explore the possible mechanism of these three different methods.Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group(n=8)

model group(n=11)

medication group(n=8)

filiform needling group(n=11)

electroacupuncture group(n=11)

and moxibustion group(n=11).Functional constipation model was established by intragastric administration with the suspension of loperamide hydrochloride

daily for six days in a week.One hour after each gavage

the medication group was treated with cisapride suspension

while the other three groups were treated with filiform needling

electroacupuncture

and moxibustion

respectively

at"Tianshu"(ST 25)

"Shangjuxu"(ST 37)acupoints.The first defecation time was recorded.NO

NOS and VIP(vasoactive intestinal peptide)levels in plasma were detected by ELISA.Immuohistochemical and Western blot methods were applied to test VIP expression in the colonic tissue.Results Compared with the blank control group

the first defecation time was prolonged

and the NO

NOS and VIP contents in plasma were increased in the model group(P<0.05

P<0.01)

accompanied with increased score of VIP in the smooth muscle of colonic wall(P<0.05)and elevated VIP expression in colonic tissue(P<0.01).Compared with the model group

the first defecation time was shortened in the medication

filiform needling

electroacupuncture

and moxibustion groups(P<0.05)

while decreased NO

NOS and VIP contents in plasma(P<0.01

P<0.05)

decreased score of VIP in the smooth muscle of colonic wall(P<0.05)

and lower expression level of VIP in colonic tissue(P<0.01)were observed in the four treatment groups.In contrast

the plasma VIP content in the electroacupuncture group was lower than that in the medication group(P<0.01)

while colonic VIP expression decreased in the moxibustion group(P<0.01).The NO

NOS and VIP contents in plasma and score of VIP in the smooth muscle of colonic wall in the electroacupuncture group were lower than those in the filiform needling group and the moxibustion group(P<0.01

P<0.05)

but the colonic VIP expression in the moxibustion group was lower than that in the filiform needling group(P <0.05)and electroacupuncture group(P<0.01).Conclusion All the three different kinds of acupuncture and moxibustion methods have positively regulatory effect on functional constipation;electroacupuncture is the best for the regulation of plasma NO

NOS and VIP contents

while moxibustion is the best for the regulation of VIP expression in colonic tissue.