OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and mild-warm moxibustion (Mox) therapies for constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS) patients.

METHODSSixty C-IBS patients were assigned to 2 groups by simple randomized method, i.e. EA group (30 cases) and Mox group (30 cases). Both EA and Mox treatments were performed on bilateral Tianshu (ST 25) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) for 30 min each time, 6 times per week, for 4 consecutive weeks. The gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological symptoms of the two groups were scored before and after treatment. The effects on the corresponding functional brain areas, namely the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insular cortex (IC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) were observed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) before and after treatment.

RESULTSCompared with the Mox group, greater improvements in abdominal distension, defecation frequency, diffificulty in defecation and stool features were observed in the EA group (all P<0.01), both Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores were signifificantly decreased in the EA group (all P<0.01). Finally, decreased activated voxel values were observed in the ACC, right IC and PFC brain regions of EA group with 150 mL colorectal distension stimulation (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBoth EA and Mox could signifificantly improve some of the most intrusive symptoms of C-IBS patients, and EA was more effective than Mox. The therapeutic effect of these two therapies might through modulating of the brain-gut axis function. (Registration No. ChiCTRTRC-11001349).

Adult ; Brain ; physiopathology ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Moxibustion ; adverse effects ; Pain Measurement ; Rectum ; physiopathology ; Sensory Thresholds ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference among the combined method of oral administration of forlaxand acupoint embedding therapy, the simple acupoint embedding therapy and the simple oral administration of for-lax in the clinical efficacy on diabetic constipation.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty patients were randomized intoa comprehensive group, an acupoint embedding group and a forlax group, 50 cases in each one. In the acupointembedding group, the embedding therapy was applied to bilateral Tianshu (ST 25), Daheng (SP 15), Shangjuxu(ST 37) and Dachangshu (BL 25), once a week. In the forlax group, forlax (polyethylene glycol) was prescribedfor oral administration, once a day, 10 g each time. In the comprehensive group, the acupoint embedding therapyand forlax were combined and the methods were the same as the first two groups. The treatment for 4 weeks wasas one session, and 2 sessions were required in the three groups. Separately, in 4 weeks, 8 weeks of treatment and2 months after treatment, the constipation symptom scores were compared among the three groups. At the end of2 sessions of treatment, the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were compared among the three groups. In2 months after treatment, the recurrence rate was compared among the three groups.

RESULTSThe total effectiverate was 98. 0% (49/50) in the comprehensive group, better than 86. 0% (43/50) in the acupoint embeddinggroup and 78. 0% (11/50) in the forlax group (both P<0. 01). In the 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment, the con-stipation symptom scores were reduced significantly as compared with those before treatment in the three groups(all P<0. 05). The results in the comprehensive group were lower than those in the other two groups (all P<0. 05). In the 4 weeks of treatment, the scores were not different significantly between the acupoint embedding group and the forlax group (P>0.05). In 8 weeks of treatment and 2 months after treatment, the scores in the acupoint embedding group were better tan those in the forlax group (all p<0.05). There were 2 cases of drug adverse reaction in the comprehensive group, 6 cases in the forlax group and 0 case in the acupoint embedding group. The recurrence rate was 8.1% (4/49) in the comprehensive group, lower than 32.6% (14/43) in the acupoint embedding group and 59.0% (23/39) in the forlax group (both P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONthe combined therapy of acupoint embedding and forlax achieves the better clinical efficacy on diabetic constipation and constipation symptom scores as compared with the simple acupoint embedding therapy and the oral administration of forlax the short-term efficacy of the simple acupoint embedding therapy is not different significantly from the simple forlax medication, but the long-term efficacy and safety are better than those of simple forlax medicaiton.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Constipation ; drug therapy ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Diabetes Complications ; complications ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Laxatives ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome

To observe the effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on the metabolism of intestinal fluid and cyclic AMP protein kinase A signaling pathway (cAMP-PKA) and water channel protein 3 (AQP3) in rats with constipation, and to explore the mechanism of VIP in the treatment of constipation.
 Methods: A total of 45 healthy adult rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a model +VIP group. After 4 weeks of VIP treatment, the first black stool time were examined with the ink gastric method; the water content in feces was calculated; the morphological changes in colonic tissues were observed by HE staining. The expression of VIP and AQP3 protein levels in colon tissues were detected by Western blot; and the cAMP, PKA, AQP3 mRNA expression levels were detected by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). 
 Results: Compared with the control group, the first black stool time was prolonged, the water content of fecal decreased significantly (both P<0.01); part of the colon mucosa epithelial cells were destructed; the goblet cell volume decreased and quantity was reduced; the contents of AQP3 and VIP in colon tissues were significantly decreased, and the cAMP, PKA and AQP3 mRNA levels were decreased in the model group (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the first black stool time in the model +VIP group was shortened, the fecal water content increased significantly (both P<0.05); the mucosal epithelium integrity improved, the number of goblet cells increased; the content of AQP3 and VIP in colon tissues was increased, and the cAMP, PKA, and AQP3 mRNA levels were elevated (all P<0.05).
 Conclusion: Intravenous injection of VIP can regulate intestinal fluid metabolism and improve the symptoms of constipation in rats, which might be related to the regulation of VIP-cAMP-PKA-AQP3 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Aquaporin 3 ; physiology ; Aquaporins ; Blotting, Western ; Colon ; chemistry ; pathology ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Cyclic AMP ; physiology ; Defecation ; Epithelial Cells ; pathology ; Feces ; chemistry ; Goblet Cells ; pathology ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; administration & dosage ; physiology ; therapeutic use

Child ; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Complementary Therapies ; methods ; Constipation ; etiology ; physiopathology ; psychology ; therapy ; Diet Therapy ; methods ; Disease Management ; Environment ; Humans ; Motor Activity ; physiology

Constipation ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rectum ; physiopathology ; Syndrome ; Touch

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture at Tianshu (ST25) for patients with functional constipation (FC).

METHODSNinety-six patients with FC were randomized to receive deep needling on bilateral ST25 (group A, 48 cases) or shallow needling on bilateral ST25 (group B, 48 cases) with electroacupuncture once daily for 4 weeks. The proportion of patients with four or more complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) per week, and scores of constipation symptoms and satisfaction with treatment were compared between two groups. Safety was also assessed.

RESULTSThe proportion of patients with four or more CSBMs per week was 52.1% in group A, significantly higher than 25.0% in group B during the 4-week treatment (P<0.05). The constipation symptom score of patients were significantly improved in group A as compared with group B at week 2-4 (P<0.05). Patients in group A were more satisfied with their treatment compared with those in group B at week 1-4 (P<0.05). Five patients in group A felt significant pain and discomfort. No other adverse reaction was observed in both groups.

CONCLUSIONUsing electroacupuncture at ST25 to treat patients with FC is effectively, and deep needling had more stable effect than shallow needling.

Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; physiology ; Electroacupuncture ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Patient Satisfaction ; Pilot Projects ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical efficacy on constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) treated with acupuncture for regulating the mind and strengthening the spleen and the impacts on the quality of life in the patients.

METHODSSixty patients of IBS-C were randomized into two groups. In the acupuncture group (30 cases), acupuncture was applied to Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Taichong (LR 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Yintang (GV 29) and Baihui (GV 20), once a day, 5 treatments a week and 4 weeks treatment as one session. In the western medication group (30 cases), lactulose oral solution was prescribed, 15 mL each time, three times a day, 4 weeks treatment as one session. The symptom grade scale and the quality of life scale (IBS-QOL) were adopted to observe the changes in clinical symptoms and quality of life before treatment, after treatment and 2-month follow-up after treatment in the patients of the two groups separately.

RESULTS(1) Clinical symptom score: the difference in the symptom score at each time point was significant statistically in intra-group comparison (P < 0.01). In 1 week, 4 weeks of treatment and 2 months after treatment, the clinical symptom scores in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the western medication group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (2) IBS-QOL score after treatment was improved as compared with that before treatment in the two groups (P < 0.01). The improvement of IBS-QOL at 2 months after treatment in the acupuncture group was apparently superior to the western medication group (P < 0.05). (3) The total effective rate was 90.0% (27/30) in the acupuncture group and was 83.3% (25/30) in the western medication group. The overall efficacy in the acupuncture group was better than that in the western medication group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture for regulating the mind and strengthening the spleen significantly relieves the clinical symptoms of IBS-C and improves QOL of patients. The total efficacy is superior to lactulose oral solution and presents a certain of long-term efficacy.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Spleen ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo observe the law of the meridian abnormal changes and the correlation with acupuncture efficacy based on the effectiveness study of electroacupuncture (EA) in treatment of severe functional constipation.

METHODSSeventy patients of severe functional constipation were randomized into an EA group and a sham-EA group, 35 cases in each one. In the EA group, Tianshu (ST 25) and Fujie (SP 14) were punctured deeply and stimulated with EA (dense-disperse wave, 2Hz/15 Hz, 0. 1 to 1. 0 mA), and Shangjuxu (ST 37) was needled. In the sham-EA group, the sites lateral to Tianshu (ST 25) and Fujie (SP 14) were punctured shallowly and stimulated with electricity. The site lateral to Shangjuxu (ST 37) was punctured shallowly. The treatment was given continuously for 8 weeks in the two groups, 5 times weekly in the first 2 weeks and 3 times weekly in the rest 6 weeks. WANG Juyi's meridian examination method was applied to detect the abnormalities of the spleen, stomach and large intestine meridians before treatment, and in 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks among 70 patients separately. The frequency of complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM) every two weeks, meridian abnormal value and the relativity with CSBM change rate were compared in the patients between two groups.

RESULTSRegarding the increase of CSBM frequency, the effect started since the 2nd week in the EA group, with the treatment going on, CSBM frequency was increased apparently (all P<0. 05). In the sham-EA group, after 6 and 8-weeks of treatment, CSBM frequency was increased apparently as compared with that before treatment (all P<0. 05). The increase of CSBM frequency in the EA group was remarkably as compared with the sham-EA group at every time point (all P<0. 05). The abnormal value of the large intestine meridian in 2 weeks of treatment and the values of the stomach and spleen meridians and the relevant meridians in 4 weeks of treatment were all reduced apparently as compared with those in the baseline in the EA group (all P<0. 05). With the treatment time going on, the abnormal reflections on the large intestine and stomach meridians were reduced gradually (all P<0. 05), and the total change rate of abnormalities on the large intestine, stomach and spleen meridians presented the negative correlation with the total change rate of CSBM frequency (P<0. 01, P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONIn the EA group, the efficacy on CSBM frequency in severe functional constipation is advantageous and stable as compared with the sham-EA group. Acupuncture at the relevant acupoints of the spleen, stomach and large intestine meridians achieves the definite regulation to the meridian abnormalities. It is discovered that the abnormal changes in the spleen, stomach

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Anemarrhena asphodeloides processed by salt and raw product was compared including both chemical composition and laxative function in order to find the possible active substance to cure constipation. Processed and raw Anemarrhenae laxative effect on experimental constipation models was observed as well as chemical composition using UPLC-MS technology and the total sugar content was determined by phenol sulfuric acid method. Processed Anemarrhenae water extract improved excrement more than raw which has significant difference compared with the blank group (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the total ion flow spectrum showed no significant difference in most substance, but the total sugar content was significantly higher than raw product. Anemarrhenae ancient be recognized benefitting for draining body water in traditional Chinese medicine which has been lost in modern books because it is manifested as excellent laxative effect not diuretic effect. Saccharides carbohydrate may have closely relationship with this magically effect.
Anemarrhena ; chemistry ; Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Constipation ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Defecation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Humans ; Laxatives ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Male ; Rats, Wistar ; Rhizome ; chemistry