Objective To observe the effects of acupuncture therapy with finger on back-shu point on acid reflux and lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) of the patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Methods Totally 120 patients of GERD were randomly divided into treatment group and control group through random number table method, 60 cases in each group. Patients in the treatment group were treated with the acupuncture therapy with finger on back-shu point, and patients in control group were treated with lansoprazole tablets and dispersible mosapride citrate for two weeks. Total percentage of acid reflux time, the long time acid reflux episodes, and the longest acid reflux time of two groups were observed six months after the treatment. At the same time, the LESP variation of two groups was followed up six months after the treatment. Results The total percentage of acid reflux time, the long time acid reflux episodes, and the longest acid reflux time decreased significantly in all patients after treatment (P<0.01), while the comparison between groups showed no significant difference (P>0.05). After treatment, LESP of two groups was significantly improved (P<0.05) than before treatment. After stopping treatment half a year, the treatment group had obvious difference (P<0.05) compared with before treatment, while the control group had no significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusion The acupuncture therapy with finger on back-shu point can reduce acid reflux, and achieve the goal of treatment of GERD by improving the lower esophageal sphincter pressure. The duration of improving LESP is longer.

AIM:To investigate the mechanism of action of Wenweiyang decoction(WWYD)in treating func-tional dyspepsia in rats based on mast cell activation and stem cell factor(SCF)/receptor tyrosine kinase c-Kit signaling pathway.METHODS:Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,ranitidine hydrochloride capsule group,and low-,medium-and high-dose WWYD groups,with 10 rats in each group.The rat model of functional dyspepsia was established by tail clamping and irregular feeding compound senna method.After modeling,the rats in con-trol group and model group were given normal saline,while those in low-,medium-and high-dose(0.743 g/mL,1.485 g/mL and 2.970 g/mL)WWYD groups and ranitidine hydrochloride capsule(3 g/L)group were treated with corresponding drugs by intragastric administration.After treatment,the propulsion rate of the small intestine was measured by the carbon ink propulsion method.Rat duodenal mast cells were observed and counted by toluidine blue staining.ELISA was used for determination of mast cell tryptase(MCT)and histamine(HA)content in rat duodenum.The mRNA levels of SCF and c-Kit in duodenum were detected by RT-qPCR.Western blot and immunohistochemistry were employed to determine the ex-pression levels of SCF and c-Kit in the duodenum.RESULTS:Compared with model group,WWYD treatment signifi-cantly increased the propulsion rate of the small intestine in rats(P<0.05).ELISA results showed that WWYD reduced the number of mast cells and the content of MCT and HA in the duodenal mucosa tissue of rats(P<0.05).Western blot and immunohistochemistry results suggested that WWYD up-regulated the protein expression levels of c-Kit and SCF in the duodenal tissue of rats(P<0.05),and increased the numbers of SCF and c-Kit positive cells.RT-qPCR results indicated that WWYD up-regulated the mRNA expression of c-Kit and SCF in the duodenum of rats(P<0.05).Moreover,the small intestinal propulsion rate was negatively correlated with MCT and HA content,and positively correlated with the expres-sion of SCF and c-Kit.CONCLUSION:Wenweiyang decoction promotes rat duodenal motility,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of rat duodenal MCT and HA production and activation of SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway.