Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) stimulation of different acupoints or acupoint pairs on gastric motility so as to explore their modulation regularities under different conditions.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into normal control

starvation(food-deprivation for 24 h)

atropine(antagonist for M-receptor)

acetylcholine(Ach

agonist for M-receptor)

propranolol(antagonist for β-receptor) and clenbuterol(agonist for β 2-receptor) and paired-acupoint groups(30 rats/group).The intragastric pressure was measured via a pressure transducer connected to a balloon inserted in the stomach cavity.EA(2 Hz /15 Hz

2 mA) was applied to the left "Tianshu"(ST 25)

"Quchi"(LI 11) and "Shangjuxu"(ST 37) which were formed in pairs: ST 25-LI 11

ST 25-ST 37 and LI 11-ST 37 for 2 min following intravenous injection of atropine(0.1%

0.8 mL/kg

40 μL·min-1·kg-1)

0.1% acetylcholine(20 μL·min-1·kg-1)

0.2% clenbuterol(80 μL·min-1·kg-1) and 0.4% propranolol(1 mL/kg

40 μL·min-1·kg-1) under food-deprivation conditions.Results After intravenous injection of atropine and clenbuterol

the intragastric pressure were decreased significantly(P<0.05)

while after administration of Ach and propranolol

the intragastric pressure increased markedly(P<0.05).Under normal and starvation conditions

and after intravenous administration of M-receptor antagonist(atropine) and agonist(Ach)

β-receptor antagonist(propranolol) and agonist(clenbuterol)

EA stimulation of ST 25 produced an apparently inhibitory effects on gastric motility(80.00%

86.67%

76.67%

86.67%

73.33% and 86.67%

respectively) and intragatric pressure(P<0.05) with the tendency being starvation >normal

acetylcholine >atropine and clenbuterol >propranolol.Whereas EA stimulation of LI 11 and ST 37 mainly produced an excitatory effect on gastric motility(60.00%

56.67%

93.33%

40.00%

53.33% and 50.00%

respectively for LI 11;66.67%

60.00%

80.00%

53.33%

46.67% and 73.33%

respectively for ST 37).Following EA stimulation of the paired-acupoint groups

ST 25-ST 37 induced a predominately inhibitory effect on gastric motility(50.00%) and intragastric pressure

while LI 11-ST 37 stimulation had a principally excitatory effect on gastric motility(53.33%)

and ST 25-LI 11 showed no apparent effect(50.00%).Conclusion EA stimulation of ST 25 area at the abdomen produces a predominant inhibitory effect on gastric motility

while EA of LI 11 and ST 37 on the upper and lower limbs induces an excitatory effect on gastric movement

when applied in pairs

EA of ST 25-ST 37 suppresses the gastric activity

and LI 11-ST 37 promotes the gastric activity

suggesting a specificity of the effect of different acupoint stimulation.