Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture stimulation of different acupoints or acupoint groups on intestinal locomotor in slow transit constipation(STC)mice

so as to provide experimental evidence for demonstrating the synergic function of acupoint combination.Methods A total of 190 Kunming mice were randomized into 19groups:normal control

model

uni-"Quchi"(LI 11)

uni-"Shangjuxu"(ST 37)

uni-"Tianshu"(ST 25)

and uni-"Dachangshu"(BL 25)groups

for analyzing the effect of single acupoint;normal control

model

uni-ST 25+uni-BL 25

uni-LI 11+uni-ST 37

bi-ST 25

bi-BL 25

bi-LI11

and bi-ST 37 groups

for comparing the effect between single acupoint and two acupoints combination;normal control

model

bi-ST 25+bi-BL 25

bi-LI 11+bi-ST 37

and uni-LI 11+uni-ST 37+uni-ST 25 +uni-BL 25 groups

for comparing the effect between four acupoints and two acupoints combinations(10mice/group).The STC model was established by intragastric administration of compound diphenoxylate suspension(1mg/100g)

once daily for 2days.Manual acupuncture needle stimulation(200twirling times/min for 1min)was applied to the abovementioned unilateral or bilateral acupoints twice daily for 7times.The first defecation time

the defecation grain number in 12 hand the intestinal propulsion rate were determined using activated carbon gavage.Results Compared with the normal group

the first defecation time was significantly increased in the STC model group(P<0.01)

while the 12 hdefecation grain number and the intestinal propulsion rate were considerably decreased in the model group(P<0.01).After manual acupuncture intervention

the first defecation time was notably shortened in the uni-LI 11

uni-ST37

uni-ST 25

uni-BL 25

bi-ST 25

bi-BL 25

bi-LI 11

bi-ST 37

uni-ST 25+uni-BL 25

uni-LI 11+uni-ST 37

bi-ST 25+bi-BL25

bi-LI 11+bi-ST 37 and the uni-ST 25+uni-BL 25+uni-LI 11+uni-ST 37 groups compared with the model group(P<0.05)

while both the 12 hdefecation grain number and intestinal propulsion rate were considerably increased in the abovementioned 13 acupuncture groups(P<0.05

P<0.01).The effects of uni-ST 25+uni-BL 25 and uni-LI 11+uni-ST 37 were significantly superior to those of bi-ST 25

bi-BL 25

bi-LI 11 and bi-ST 37 groups

and those of the uni-ST 25+uni-BL 25+uni-LI 11+uni-ST 37 group were markedly superior to those of bi-ST 25+bi-BL 25 and bi-LI 11+bi-ST 37 groups in shortening the first defecation time and in increasing the 12 hdefecation grain number and intestinal propulsion rate(P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture stimulation of LI 11

ST 37

ST 25 and BL 25 can improve constipation in STC mice

and the effect of two acupoints combination is significantly superior to that of the corresponding bilateral single acupoint

and that of the 4unilateral single acupoint combination is obviously superior to that of two bilateral acupoints combination

suggesting a synergistic action of acupuncture stimulation.