Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture on expression of receptor tyrosine kinase(RTK)c-kit in interstitial cells of Cajal(ICCs)

carbon monoxide(CO)and heme oxygenase(HO)in colon tissue after colonic anastomosis

so as to explore the mechanism of acupuncture in improving gastrointestinal motility.Methods SD rats were randomly devided into control group

model group and acupuncture group.The model was established using colonic anastomosis.Each group was further devided into 3

5

and 10d(time-point)subgroups(n=10 in each).Acupuncture was applied to acupuncture group at bilateral"Zusanli"(ST 36)

"Sanyinjiao"(SP 6)and"Taichong"(LR 3)for 15 min

once daily after modeling.The first defecation time was recorded

and the intestinal propulsive rate was measured.The expression of c-kit in colon tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry.The content of CO

the activities of HO-1 and HO-2 in colon tissue were detected by biochemical method and ELISA

respectively.Results Compared to the control group

the intestinal propulsive rate and the expression level of c-kit in ICCs were decreased in the model group(P<0.05)

the content of CO and the activity of HO-1 were increased in model 3d and 5d subgroups(P<0.05)

the activity of HO-2 was increased in model 3d subgroup(P<0.05)

while the opposite results appeared in model 5dand 10dsubgroups(P<0.05).Compared to the model group

the first defecation time was shortened(P<0.05)

the intestinal propulsive rate and the expression level of c-kit in ICCs were increased in the acupuncture group(P<0.05)

the content of CO and the activity of HO-1 were decreased in acupuncture 3d and 5 dsubgroups(P<0.05)

the activity of HO-2 was decreased in acupuncture 3d subgroup(P<0.05)

while the opposite result appeared in acupuncture 10 d subgroup(P<0.05).Compared to the 3d subgroup

the intestinal propulsive rate and the expression level of c-kit in ICCs were increased

the content of CO

the activities of HO-1 and HO-2 were decreased in both model and acupuncture 5dsubgroups(P<0.05).In model 10 dsubgroup

the intestinal propulsive rate and the expression level of c-kit in ICCs were increased

the content of CO and the activity of HO-1 were decreased in comparison with the model 5dsubgroup(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture can improve postoperative gastrointestinal motility by declining CO content and HO-1 and HO-2 activity in colon tissue

and promoting ICCs restoration.