Effect of electroacupuncture at “Tianshu” (ST25) on the regulation of nitrergic neurons in different intestinal segments in streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic rats
ZHANG Shuang-shuang, XU Tian-cheng, YU Zhi, et al. Effect of electroacupuncture at “Tianshu” (ST25) on the regulation of nitrergic neurons in different intestinal segments in streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic rats[J]. Acupuncture research, 2022, 47(9): 785-792.
ZHANG Shuang-shuang, XU Tian-cheng, YU Zhi, et al. Effect of electroacupuncture at “Tianshu” (ST25) on the regulation of nitrergic neurons in different intestinal segments in streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic rats[J]. Acupuncture research, 2022, 47(9): 785-792. DOI: 10.13702/j.1000-0607.20210628.
Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at “Tianshu”(ST25) on nitrergic neurons in jejunum and distal colon in type 2 diabetic rats
so as to explore its mechanism of regulating different intestinal segments. Methods Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into control
model and EA groups(n=8 in each group). The diabetes model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(35 mg/kg) and high-sugar and high-fat diet for 2 weeks. EA(2 Hz/15 Hz
2 mA) was applied to bilateral ST25 for 20 min
once a day
6 days a week for 4 weeks. The intestinal motility was evaluated by observing the first red stool excretion time and the distal colon bead excretion time. HE staining was used to observe the histological changes of jejunum and distal colon. The positive expression and protein expression of intestinal total neuronal marker protein gene product 9.5(PGP9.5) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS) in jejunum and distal colon were detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot
respectively. Results After modeling
the blood glucose was significantly increased(P<0.01)
the first red stool excretion time and the distal colon bead excretion time were shortened(P<0.01)
the expression levels of PGP9.5 and nNOS in jejunum and distal colon were decreased(P<0.01) in the model group relevant to the control group. After treatment
compared with the model group
the blood glucose was decreased(P<0.01)
the first red stool excretion time and the distal colon bead excretion time were prolonged(P<0.01
P<0.05)
and the expression levels of PGP9.5 and nNOS in jejunum and distal colon were increased(P<0.05
P<0.01) in the EA group. HE staining showed disordered structure in intestinal mucosa of the jejunum and distal colon
and reduction of the number of goblet cells in the model group
which was relatively milder in the EA group. Conclusion EA can effectively improve the intestinal mucosal damage and restore intestinal motor function in type 2 diabetic rats
which may be related to its function in regulating the number of nitrergic neurons in the intestinal nervous system.