Effects of Electroacupuncture on Plasma and Gastric Mucosal CGRP Levels in Dogs

Objective To investigate the regulation of electroacupuncture(EA)on gastric mucosal blood flow(GMBF) and its relation to the contents of plasma and gastric mucosal calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) in dogs.Methods Twenty dogs were randomly divided into four groups:blank control group,no meridian point group,Shangjuxu group and Zusanli point group.By using laser doppler flowmeter(LDF)and radioimmunoassay method,GMBF,contents of CGRP were simultaneously measured,with or without EA stimulation at different acupoints in expermental dogs.Results In the Zusanli group,after EA stimulation, an increase was observed in plasma CGRP content(P0.05),gastric mucosa CGRP content(P0.01) and GMBF(4.45±0.69→6.94±1.17,P0.01)as compared with those of the control group (P0.01), and In Shangjuxu group, after EA stimulation, an increase in plasma CGRP content was observed. But the change in the Shangjuxu group was not so significant as than in the Zusanli group.No significant changes were observed in other groups.Conclusions EA at Zusanli point can evidently increase GMBF level,it have protection for the gastric mucosa, which is related to the regulatory effect of EA on gastrointestinal functions. This effects is probably related to the changes in plasma and gastric mucosa brain-gut peptide and is also acupoint specific.