Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on serum insulin (INS) levels and gastric antral cholecystokinin (CCK) content in rats with diabetic gastroparesis (DGP).Methods Sixty SD rats were randomized into groups A, B, C, D and E, 12 rats each. Group A is a normal control. A DGP model was made by an intraperitoneal injection of 2% streptozocin (STZ) plus an irregular high sugar and fat diet in groups B, C, D and E. group B is a model one and did not receive treatment. Group C received electroacupuncture at points Zusanli, Sanyinjiao and Liangmen; group D, electroacupuncture at the control points of Zusanli, Sanyinjiao and Liangmen. Group C, an oral gavage of metoclopramide tablet solution. Blood sugar and urine sugar were determined using a OneTouch lood glucose meter and Tes-Tape, respectively. The gastric emptying rate and the intestinal migration rate were measured by an oral gavage of phenol red. Serum INS levels and gastric antral CCK content were measured by ELISA in every group of rats before and after treatment.Results There were statistically significant differences in blood and urine sugar values between group B, C, D or E rats and group A (P<0.01) and between group C rats and group B or E (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the gastric emptying rate between group B, C, D or E rats and group A (P<0.01) and between group C rats and group B or D (P<0.01,P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the intestinal migration rate between group B or D rats and group A (P<0.01) and between group C rats and group B or D (P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in serum INS levels and gastric antral CCK content between groups B and A rats (P<0.05,P<0.01). There was a statistically significant difference in gastric antral CCK content between groups D and A rats (P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in serum INS levels and gastric antral CCK content between groups C or E rats and group B (P<0.05,P<0.01). There was a statistically significant difference in gastric antral CCK content between groups C and D rats (P<0.05).Conclusions Electroacupuncture can markedly improve gastrointestinal functions and promote gastric emptying in DGP rats. Its therapeutic effect may be related to electroacupuncture raising serum INS levels and reducing gastric antral CCK content.

Objective: To explore the action mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in improving the gastric motility of rats with diabetic gastroparesis (DGP). Methods: Forty-eight healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into four groups: a normal group (group A), a model group (group B), a group of EA at acupoints (group C), and a group of EA at non-acupoints (group D), 12 rats in each group. The animal model of DGP was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) plus high glucose and fat diet. The blood glucose, urine glucose and gastric emptying rate (GER) were observed. The content of insulin (INS) in serum and ghrelin in gastric antrum tissue were detected by enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA). The expression of growth hormone secretagogue receptor mRNA (GHSR mRNA) in gastric antrum tissue was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results:Compared with group A, blood glucose and urine glucose increased significantly (P<0.01), GER, content of serum insulin, the content of ghrelin and expression of GHSR mRNA in gastric antrum tissue decreased significantly (P<0.05 orP<0.01) in group B. Compared with group B, blood glucose and urine glucose decreased significantly (P<0.05), GER, the content of insulin in serum, the content of ghrelin and expression of GHSR mRNA in gastric antrum tissue increased significantly (P<0.05 orP<0.01) in group C. Conclusion: EA at acupoints can down-regulate the content of blood and urine sugar, and promote gastric emptying, which is possibly related to the regulation of serum insulin, and the expressions of ghrelin and GHSR mRNA in gastric antrum.