Effects of electroacupuncture on plasma CGRP and SP expression in rats of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Objective To observe effects of electro-acupuncture on the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) in constipation-predominant IBS rats,and to discuss the mechanism of IBS's acupuncture treatment.Methods To set WISTAR adult rats as the object and to establish models of irritable bowel syndrome rats.The experiment rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a EA Shangjuxu group and a EA Dachangshu group.The Shangjuxu group and Dachangshu group were bounded and given EA,once daily,for a total of seven times.Model group was bounded but not treatedwith EA,the normal group was done nothing.After the treatment,5ml of inferior vena blood was got inanesthesia state.The value of plasma CGRP and SP in rats' plasma were measued with Elisa.Results Compared with the normal control group,CGRP and SP content[(52.62± 15.05)pg/ml,(27.10±5.03) pg/ml] in IBS model group was obviously increased,the difference was statistically significant (P＜ 0.01,P＜ 0.01) ; the changes of plasma CGRP content [(37.82± 15.34)pg/ml,(38.93± 12.05)pg/ml] and SP content[(19.62± 5.68) pg/ml,(18.90± 5.07)pg/ml] were not obvious in EA Shangjuxu group and EA Dachangshu group (P＞0.05,P＞0.05).Compared with IBS model group,the content of plasma CGRP and SP was significantly descend in EA Shangjuxu group and EA Dachangshu group (P＜0.05,P＜0.05,P＜0.01,P＜0.01).The concentration of CGRP and SP in EA Shangjuxu group and EA Dachangshu group had no significant difference(P＞0.05,P＞0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture could treat IBS through regulating CGRP and SP in IBS rats. Key words: Electro-acupuncture;  Irritable bowel syndrome;  Calcitonin gene-related peptide;  Substance P