Objective To observe The effect of electroacupuncture(EA)stimulation of"Zusanli"(ST 36)and "Taichong"(LR 3)on intestinal motor and neurotensin(NT)levels in the plasma

hypothalamus

and gastro-antrum tissues in functional dyspepsia(FD)rats so as to reveal its mechanisms underlying improvement of FD.Methods Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into control

model and EA groups

with 16 rats in each group.The FD model was established by clamping the rats' tails and alternate day's feeding according to the related references.EA(2Hz/100 Hz

2mA)was applied to unilateral ST 36 and LR 3for 30 min

once daily for 14 days.Rats of the control group were only restricted.The gastric emptying rate and propulsive rate of the small intestine were detected.The content of NT in the plasma was assayed using ELISA

and the immunoactivity levels of NT in the hypothalamus

gastric antrum mucous membrane and ileum tissues were detected using immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with the control group

the gastric emptying rate and propulsive rate of the small intestine were considerably lowered in the model group(P<0.01)

and the content and immunoactivity levels of NT in the plasma

hypothalamus

mucous membrane of the gastric antrum and ileum tissues were significantly increased(P<0.05).After EA intervention

the decreased gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsive rate

as well as the increased NT content and immunoactivity levels of plasma

hypothalamus

gastric antrum and ileum were reversed(P<0.05).Conclusion EA intervention can obviously promote gastrointestinal motor in FD rats

which may be related to its function in down-regulating NT levels in the plasma

hypothalamus

gastric antrum and ileum.It suggests an involvement of NT in the brain-gut axis in EA-induced improvement of FD.