ObjectiveThis paper aims to verify the therapeutic effect of Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder prepared by the new process on the rat's trigeminal neuralgia model caused by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis， evaluate its potential clinical application value， and compare the therapeutic effect with that of Cranial Painkiller granules， so as to provide data support for the application of the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and precise treatment. MethodsThe rat's trigeminal neuralgia model was constructed by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis， and the rats were randomly divided into the normal group， model group， carbamazepine group （60 mg·kg^-1）， Cranial Painkiller granules group （2.70 g·kg^-1）， and low， medium， and high dosage groups of Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder （1.35， 2.70， 5.40 g·kg^-1） according to the basal mechanical pain thresholds， and there were 10 rats in each group. The drug was administered by gavage to each group 2 h after modeling， and distilled water was given by gavage to the normal and model groups under the same conditions once a day for 10 d. Von Frey brushes were used to measure mechanical pain thresholds in rats. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to detect pathological changes in the trigeminal ganglion， and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the inflammatory factors interleukin-1 （IL-1）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-8 （IL-8）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） levels in rat serum， as well as neuropeptide substance P （SP） and β-endorphin （β-EP） levels in rat brain tissue. Western blot technique was used to detect the levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and OTULIN proteins in rat brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the pain threshold of rats in the model group showed a continuous significant decrease （P<0.01）. The pathological damage of brain tissue was significant （P<0.01）， and the inflammatory levels of IL-1， IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α in serum were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. The level of the SP in the brain tissue was significantly elevated （P<0.01）， and the level of β-EP was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while the level of OTULIN was significantly reduced， and NLRP3， ASC， and Caspase-1 protein levels were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. After administration of the drug， compared with the model group， the pain threshold of each dose group of the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and the Cranial Painkiller granules group significantly increased （P<0.01）. The inflammatory levels of IL-1， IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α and SP levels significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the β-EP levels were significantly elevated （P<0.01）， while the levels of OTULIN protein were significantly elevated （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the levels of NLRP3， ASC proteins were decreased （P<0.01）in high dose Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder. Meanwhile， compared with those in the model group， the trigeminal ganglion lesions of rats in the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and Cranial Painkiller granules groups showed different degrees of improvement （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder has significant therapeutic effects on the rat model of trigeminal neuralgia induced by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis， and its mechanism is related to the improvement of OTULIN-regulated neuroinflammation.

ObjectiveThis paper aims to verify the therapeutic effect of Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder prepared by the new process on the rat's trigeminal neuralgia model caused by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis， evaluate its potential clinical application value， and compare the therapeutic effect with that of Cranial Painkiller granules， so as to provide data support for the application of the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and precise treatment. MethodsThe rat's trigeminal neuralgia model was constructed by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis， and the rats were randomly divided into the normal group， model group， carbamazepine group （60 mg·kg^-1）， Cranial Painkiller granules group （2.70 g·kg^-1）， and low， medium， and high dosage groups of Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder （1.35， 2.70， 5.40 g·kg^-1） according to the basal mechanical pain thresholds， and there were 10 rats in each group. The drug was administered by gavage to each group 2 h after modeling， and distilled water was given by gavage to the normal and model groups under the same conditions once a day for 10 d. Von Frey brushes were used to measure mechanical pain thresholds in rats. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to detect pathological changes in the trigeminal ganglion， and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the inflammatory factors interleukin-1 （IL-1）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-8 （IL-8）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） levels in rat serum， as well as neuropeptide substance P （SP） and β-endorphin （β-EP） levels in rat brain tissue. Western blot technique was used to detect the levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and OTULIN proteins in rat brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the pain threshold of rats in the model group showed a continuous significant decrease （P<0.01）. The pathological damage of brain tissue was significant （P<0.01）， and the inflammatory levels of IL-1， IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α in serum were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. The level of the SP in the brain tissue was significantly elevated （P<0.01）， and the level of β-EP was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while the level of OTULIN was significantly reduced， and NLRP3， ASC， and Caspase-1 protein levels were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. After administration of the drug， compared with the model group， the pain threshold of each dose group of the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and the Cranial Painkiller granules group significantly increased （P<0.01）. The inflammatory levels of IL-1， IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α and SP levels significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the β-EP levels were significantly elevated （P<0.01）， while the levels of OTULIN protein were significantly elevated （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the levels of NLRP3， ASC proteins were decreased （P<0.01）in high dose Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder. Meanwhile， compared with those in the model group， the trigeminal ganglion lesions of rats in the Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder and Cranial Painkiller granules groups showed different degrees of improvement （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Cranial Painkiller pills' extract powder has significant therapeutic effects on the rat model of trigeminal neuralgia induced by infraorbital injection of Talci Pulvis， and its mechanism is related to the improvement of OTULIN-regulated neuroinflammation.

Objective To investigate the influence of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)on cognitive function and the effective connectivity with in the default mode network(DMN)in the brain.Methods A total of 93 hospitalized patients diagnosed with T2DM were enrolled in this study as T2DM group from The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine during September 2021 to December 2022.Simultaneously,108 healthy individuals were recruited from the community as normal control(NC)group.The cognitive functions were evaluated in the two groups.A random dynamic causal modeling approach was employed to analyze the effective connectivity within DMN in both groups.Additionally,Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the association between differential connectivity,clinical indicators,and cognitive scores in both groups.Results In comparison to the NC group,T2DM individuals exhibited statistically significant reductions in scores in the auditory verbal learning test(AVLT)for immediate recall and the digit symbol substitution test(DSST)(P＜0.05).Additionally,they displayed a notable decrease in effective connectivity from the left lateral parietal cortex(LLPC)to the posterior cingulate cortex(PCC),as well as from the LLPC to the right lateral parietal cortex(RLPC)within the DMN(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis unveiled a negative association between HbA1c levels and the strength of effective connectivity from LLPC to PCC.Conversely,a positive correlation was observed between AVLT(immediate)scores and the strength of effective connectivity from LLPC to PCC and LLPC to RLPC.Additionally,DSST scores displayed a positive correlation with the strength of effective connectivity from LLPC to PCC(P＜0.05).Conclusion Patients with T2DM display compromised effective connectivity from LLPC to PCC and LLPC to RLPC within the DMN network,and this alteration may associated with cognitive impairment.

Objective:To explore the impacts and possible mechanism of donepezil combined with Madopar on neuronal apop-tosis and cognitive function in Parkinson's disease(PD)rats.Methods:The PD rats with successful modeling were grouped into model group(normal saline),Madopar group(11.0 mg/kg Madopar),donepezil group(0.6 mg/kg donepezil hydrochloride),and donepezil+Madopar group(11.0 mg/kg Medopa+0.6 mg/kg donepezil hydrochloride),another 12 rats were taken as the sham operation group(normal saline).The motor function and cognitive function of the rats in each group were evaluated;the positive expression of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)was detected by immunohistochemistry;Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of TH protein,apop-tosis related proteins(cleaved caspase-3,Bax,Bcl-2)and PI3K/AKT pathway related proteins;TUNEL staining was used to detect the apoptosis rate;commercial kits were applied to detect the levels of oxidative stress indicators(MDA,SOD,GSH-Px)and inflam-matory factors(IL-6,IL-18,TNF-α).Results:Compared with the sham operation group,the number of rotations in model group was increased,the fall latency was shortened,the spontaneous alternation behavior(SAB)correct rate was reduced,the escape latency was prolonged,and the number of crossing the original platform was reduced,the positive expression of TH in the substantia nigra,the expression levels of TH and Bcl-2 proteins,the activities of SOD and GSH-Px,p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT were decreased,the apoptosis rate of substantia nigra neurons,the expression levels of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax proteins,the content of MDA,the levels of IL-6,IL-18 and TNF-α were increased(P<0.05);the Madopar,donepezil and donepezil+Madopar could reduce the number of rotations,prolong the fall latency,increase the SAB correct rate,shorten the escape latency,and increase the number of crossing the original platform in PD rats,increased the positive expression of TH in the substantia nigra,the expression levels of TH and Bcl-2 proteins,the activities of SOD and GSH-Px,p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT,decreased the apoptosis rate of substantia nigra neurons,the expression levels of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax proteins,the content of MDA,and the levels of IL-6,IL-18 and TNF-α(P<0.05),and the effect of donepezil+Madopar group were significantly better than that of Madopar group and donepezil group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Donepezil combined with Madopar can reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction in PD rats,and improve cogni-tive function,which may be achieved by activating PI3K/AKT pathway.

Objective:To observe and analyze the clinical characteristics of children with autosomal dominant hereditary microcephaly with or without chorioretinopathy, lymphedema, or intellectual disability syndrome (MCLMR).Methods:A retrospective clinical study. In September 2023, the first patient and three family members (parents, brother) of MCLMR who were diagnosed through ophthalmic examination and genetic testing at Department of Ophthalmology of Henan Children's Hospital were included in the study. Clinical data were collected, inquired about medical history and family history in detail, and performed best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography (FFA), flash visual evoked potential (F-VEP), full field electroretinogram (ERG), cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and systemic examination. 3 ml of peripheral venous blood were collected from the proband, her parents and younger brother, and extracted whole genome DNA. Second generation sequencing technology was used for gene sequencing. For suspected pathogenic sites, Sanger sequencing was used for validation, and bioinformatics analysis was performed to determine the pathogenicity of the genetic variant sites. The relevant literature of PubMed of the National Library of Medicine and Wan Fang Med Online by computer were searched. The genetic characteristics and conducted literature review were summarized.Results:The proband (Ⅱ-1) was an 8-year-old and 5-month-old female. Her head was relatively small, the lower jaw was small, the ears protrude, the nose was wide, the eyelid was tilted upwards, philtrum was long. Mild intellectual disability, no history of lymphedema. The BCVA values for the right and left eyes were 0.08 and 0.1, respectively. Bilateral nystagmus. Atrophic lesioned in the macular area and below choroid retina of both eyes. FFA examination showed mottled fluorescent staining in the macular area and the below retina, with no obvious fluorescein leakage in the late stage. OCT examination revealed shallow macular fovea morphology, absence of ellipsoidal bands, unclear layers, thinning of the entire retina, and significant atrophy of the choroid and retina beneath the macula. F-VEP examination, no waveform was detected in both eyes. Full field ERG examination showed severe reduction in amplitude of a wave and b wave in both eyes. Head magnetic resonance imaging showed widening of the subarachnoid space in the left temporal region, with no significant abnormal signals observed in the brain parenchyma. Her father (Ⅰ-1) had mild nystagmus and strabismus. The phenotypes of the eyes of the mother (Ⅰ-2) and brother (Ⅱ-2) were not significantly abnormal. The genetic testing results showed that the proband (Ⅱ-1) had a heterozygous missense mutation c.895A>G (p.Ile299Val) in exon 8 of the KIF11 gene, which was a known mutation. Her parents (Ⅰ-1, Ⅰ-2) and younger brother (Ⅱ-2) were both wild-type. The bioinformatics analysis results indicated that this mutation is a potentially pathogenic variant. A total of 109 cases were retrieved from 20 relevant literatures. Among them, 55 were male, 54 were females. There were 61 cases with family history and 48 cases without family history, respectively. Among the 109 cases, 98 cases (89.9%, 98/109) had microcephaly, 2 cases had premature closure of cranial sutures, and 11 patients underwent cranial MRI, which showed 11 cases of small head with simplified development of the cerebral gyrus. 50 cases (45.9%, 50/109) of lymphedema. 83 cases (76.1%, 83/109) of intellectual developmental disorders. 92 cases (84.4%, 92/109) had ocular abnormalities, 69 cases (63.3%, 69/109) had chorioretinopathy, 20 cases (18.3%, 20/109) had retinal folds, 10 cases (9.2%, 10/109) had nystagmus, and 17 cases (15.6%, 17/109) had retinal detachment. Conclusions:The main clinical manifestations of MCLMR are microcephaly, chorioretinopathy, with or without lymphedema, and intellectual disability. The main manifestations of eye diseases are low vision, nystagmus, and chorioretinopathy. The heterozygous missense mutation c.895A>G (p.Ile299Val) in exon 8 of KIF11 gene is the pathogenic variant of this family.

Objective To create risk predictive models of healthcare-seeking delay among imported malaria patients in Jiangsu Province based on machine learning algorithms, so as to provide insights into early identification of imported malaria cases in Jiangsu Province. Methods Case investigation, first symptoms and time of initial diagnosis of imported malaria patients in Jiangsu Province in 2019 were captured from Infectious Disease Report Information Management System and Parasitic Disease Prevention and Control Information Management System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The risk predictive models of healthcare-seeking delay among imported malaria patients were created with the back propagation (BP) neural network model, logistic regression model, random forest model and Bayesian model using thirteen factors as independent variables, including occupation, species of malaria parasite, main clinical manifestations, presence of complications, severity of disease, age, duration of residing abroad, frequency of malaria parasite infections abroad, incubation period, level of institution at initial diagnosis, country of origin, number of individuals travelling with patients and way to go abroad, and time of healthcare-seeking delay as a dependent variable. Logistic regression model was visualized using a nomogram, and the nomogram was evaluated using calibration curves. In addition, the efficiency of the four models for prediction of risk of healthcare-seeking delay among imported malaria patients was evaluated using the area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). The importance of each characteristic was quantified and attributed by using SHAP to examine the positive and negative effects of the value of each characteristic on the predictive efficiency. Results A total of 244 imported malaria patients were enrolled, including 100 cases (40.98%) with the duration from onset of first symptoms to time of initial diagnosis that exceeded 24 hours. Logistic regression analysis identified a history of malaria parasite infection [odds ratio (OR) = 3.075, 95% confidential interval (CI): (1.597, 5.923)], long incubation period [OR = 1.010, 95% CI: (1.001, 1.018)] and seeking healthcare in provincial or municipal medical facilities [OR = 12.550, 95% CI: (1.158, 135.963)] as risk factors for delay in seeking healthcare among imported malaria cases. BP neural network modeling showed that duration of residing abroad, incubation period and age posed great impacts on delay in healthcare-seek among imported malaria patients. Random forest modeling showed that the top five factors with the greatest impact on healthcare-seeking delay included main clinical manifestations, the way to go abroad, incubation period, duration of residing abroad and age among imported malaria patients, and Bayesian modeling revealed that the top five factors affecting healthcare-seeking delay among imported malaria patients included level of institutions at initial diagnosis, age, country of origin, history of malaria parasite infection and individuals travelling with imported malaria patients. ROC curve analysis showed higher overall performance of the BP neural network model and the logistic regression model for prediction of the risk of healthcare-seeking delay among imported malaria patients (Z = 2.700 to 4.641, all P values < 0.01), with no statistically significant difference in the AUC among four models (Z = 1.209, P > 0.05). The sensitivity (71.00%) and Youden index (43.92%) of the logistic regression model was higher than those of the BP neural network (63.00% and 36.61%, respectively), and the specificity of the BP neural network model (73.61%) was higher than that of the logistic regression model (72.92%). Conclusions Imported malaria cases with long duration of residing abroad, a history of malaria parasite infection, long incubation period, advanced age and seeking healthcare in provincial or municipal medical institutions have a high likelihood of delay in healthcare-seeking in Jiangsu Province. The models created based on the logistic regression and BP neural network show a high efficiency for prediction of the risk of healthcare-seeking among imported malaria patients in Jiangsu Province, which may provide insights into health management of imported malaria patients.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with spontaneous low intracranial pressure (SIH).Methods:The study is a retrospective series. The clinical data of patients with SIH who visited Beijing Hospital from May 2017 to March 2022, including gender, age, symptoms, signs, imaging findings, treatment and outcome, were collected and their clinical characteristics were analyzed.Results:Finally, 8 patients with SIH, 6 females and 2 males, aged (33.5±7.3) years, were included. There were 6 cases of acute onset, 1 case of subacute onset, and 1 case of chronic onset. Four cases had pre-onset triggers, 3 cases were exertional and 1 case was exercise. All 8 cases had orthostatic headache. Three cases were accompanied by neck pain. Six cases were accompanied by autonomic dysfunction, 1 case with blurred vision and neck resistance, and 1 case with tinnitus in both ears. There were no obvious abnormalities in blood routine, liver and kidney function, electrolytes, and coagulation function in 8 cases. The results of the lumbar puncture showed that the cerebrospinal fluid pressure was≤60 mmH 2O(1 mmH 2O=0.009 8 kPa) in 7 cases, and 2 cases were so low that they were undetectable. One patient had normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure (90 mmH 2O). The routine results of cerebrospinal fluid showed 4 cases of an increased number of red blood cells and 2 cases of leukocytosis. The biochemical results of cerebrospinal fluid in all 8 cases were normal. All 8 patients underwent non-contrast MRI scan of the head, and 6 cases found abnormalities, including 2 cases of subdural hematoma, 1 case of subarachnoid hemorrhage, 1 case of brain tissue sinking, and 3 cases of intracranial venous sinus dilation (including 1 case with subdural hematoma). All 8 patients underwent MRI enhancement scan of the head, and 5 patients showed diffuse dural enhancement. Three patients underwent digital subtraction angiography myelogram and computed tomography myelogram, and 2 cases found dural cerebrospinal fluid leakage. One patient underwent magnetic resonance water imaging and no cerebrospinal fluid leakage was found. Eight patients were followed up for 38.5 (10.3, 63.0) months, after conservative treatment, 6 cases of headache relief or disappearance, 1 case relapsed and was admitted 1 week after discharge, non-targeted epidural blood patching (EBP) did not relapse, 1 case underwent non-targeted EBP after conservative treatment failure, headache relief, recurrence after 2 months, thoracic spine 3-4 space targeted EBP, headache disappeared, did not recur. Conclusions:The present study indicate that SIH prevalence in young age is common, the main symptom is orthostatic headache, accommodated with multiple clinical symptoms with various imaging abnormalities. Most patients with SIH can be treated conservatively, if the effect is not good, non-targeted or targeted EBP is feasible.

Objective:To observe the clinical features of eyes in children with methylmalonic acidemia (MMA).Methods:A retrospective clinical case study. From June 2019 to June 2022, 13 children with MMA visited on the Department of Ophthalmology of Henan Children's Hospital were included in the study. The anterior segment and fundus were examined under surface or general anesthesia. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and refraction were performed in 9 cases; fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA) was performed in 3 cases; flash electroretinogram (FERG) was performed in 6 cases; flash visual evoked potential (FVEP) was detected in 6 cases; optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed in 3 cases.Results:Among the 13 pediatric patients with methylmalonic acidemia, 6 cases were male and 7 cases were female. The average age at first visit was 45 months. All cases suffered from hyperhomocysteinemia; 9 cases were with epilepsy; 2 cases were with infantile spasms; 11 cases were with stunting, 13 cases were with repeated pulmonary infection during growth period; 4 cases were with hydrocephalus; 1 cases was with hypertension and renal insufficiency. Genetic dectection results of 8 cases were recorded, MMACHC:c.609G>A:p.W203* mutation site was found in all cases. One case was accompanied by corneal ulcer. There were 10 cases with nystagmus, 4 cases with macular degeneration, 3 cases with hyperopic refractive error and esotropia. Nine cases underwent BCVA examination, BCVA was light perception-0.6. In OCT, 2 cases of 3 cases showed retinal thinning and photoreceptor cell layer atrophy in the macular area. In FFA, 2 cases of 3 cases showed circular transparent fluorescence in the macular area. Five cases of 6 cases who with FVEP had different degrees of P100 peak time delay and decreased amplitude, and 4 cases of 6 cases with FERG had decrease of a and b wave in light and dark adaptation. Conclusions:The clinical phenotypes of eyes in children with MMA are various and the severity was different; most of them are accompanied by nystagmus, and the fundus lesions are common in the characteristic bovine eye like macular region. Those with macular disease have severe visual impairment.

OBJECTIVE: Abnormalities in the gut microbiota and intestinal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels are implicated in the pathogenesis of functional constipation (FC). Electro-acupuncture (EA) has been shown to improve constipation-related symptoms and rebalance the gut microbiota. However, it is currently unknown whether the gut microbiota is a key mechanistic target for EA or how EA promotes gut motility by regulating the gut microbiota and SCFAs. Therefore, we assessed the effects of EA in FC mice and pseudo-germfree (PGF) mice to address these questions. METHODS: Forty female Kunming mice were randomly separated into a normal control group (n = 8), an FC group (n = 8), an FC + EA group (n = 8), a PGF group (n = 8) and a PGF + EA group (n = 8). The FC group and FC + EA group were treated with diphenoxylate to establish the FC model; the PGF group and PGF + EA group were given an antibiotic cocktail to initiate the PGF model. After maintaining the model for 14 d, mice in the FC + EA and PGF + EA groups received EA stimulation at the ST25 and ST37 acupoints, once a day, 5 times per week, for 2 weeks. Fecal parameters and intestinal transit rate were calculated to assess the efficacy of EA on constipation and gastrointestinal motility. Colonic contents were used to quantify gut microbial diversity using 16S rRNA sequencing, and measure SCFA concentrations using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: EA significantly shortened the first black stool defecation time (P < 0.05) and increased the intestinal transit rate (P < 0.01), and fecal pellet number (P < 0.05), wet weight (P < 0.05) and water content (P < 0.01) over 8 h, compared with the FC group, showing that EA promoted gut motility and alleviated constipation. However, EA treatment did not reverse slow-transit colonic motility in PGF mice (P > 0.05), demonstrating that the gut microbiota may play a mechanistic role in the EA treatment of constipation. In addition, EA treatment restored the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio and significantly increased butyric acid generation in FC mice (P < 0.05), most likely due to the upregulation of Staphylococcaceae microorganisms (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION EA-mediated resolution of constipation occurs through rebalancing the gut microbiota and promoting butyric acid generation. Please cite this article as: Xu MM, Guo Y, Chen Y, Zhang W, Wang L, Li Y. Electro-acupuncture promotes gut motility and alleviates functional constipation by regulating gut microbiota and increasing butyric acid generation in mice. J Integr Med. 2023; Epub ahead of print.
Mice ; Female ; Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Butyric Acid/pharmacology* ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics* ; Constipation/therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Electroacupuncture/methods*

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effect mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) on functional constipation (FC) at the combined lower he-sea and front-mu points of large intestine based on enteric neuronal autophagy. METHODS: A total of 40 SPF Kunming mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 8), i.e. a control group, a model group, an acupuncture group, a 3-methyl adenine (3-MA) group, and a 3-MA + acupuncture group. Except the control group, the FC model was established by gavage with compound diphenoxylate suspension for 14 days in the other 4 groups. After successful modeling, the mice of the acupuncture group and the 3-MA + acupuncture group received EA at bilateral "Tianshu" (ST 25) and "Shangjuxu" (ST 37), stimulated for 30 min with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/15 Hz of frequency, 1 mA of intensity. EA was delivered once daily. One course of treatment was composed of 5 days and 2 courses were needed, with an interval of 2 days. An intraperitoneal injection of 3-MA (15 mg/kg) was administered 30 min before EA in the mice of the 3-MA group and the 3-MA + acupuncture group, once daily. Before and after intervention, the time of the first black stool defecation and defecation behaviors in 6 h were observed in each group. After intervention, in every group, the small intestine propulsion rate was calculated, the colon tissue morphology was observed using HE staining, the ultrastructure of enteric neuronal autophagy was observed under transmission electron microscope, and the expressions of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), Beclin-1 and neuronal nuclear antigen protein (NeuN) in neurons of colonic muscularis were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Before intervention, when compared with those in the control group, the time of the first black stool defecation was prolonged (P<0.01, P<0.05), and numbers (P<0.01), wet weight (P<0.01, P<0.05) and water content (P<0.05, P<0.01) of stool in 6 h were reduced in the model, acupuncture, 3-MA and 3-MA + acupuncture groups. After intervention, compared with those in the control group, the time of the first black stool defecation was longer (P<0.05), and numbers (P<0.01), wet weight (P<0.01) and water content (P<0.01) of stool in 6 h were decreased in the model group. The time of the first black stool defecation was shortened (P<0.01), and numbers (P<0.01), wet weight (P<0.01) and water content (P<0.01) of stool in 6 h were increased in the acupuncture group when compared with those in the model group. The time of the first black stool defecation was extended (P<0.01), and numbers (P<0.01), wet weight (P<0.01) and water content (P<0.01) of stool in 6 h were declined in the 3-MA + acupuncture group in comparison with those in the acupuncture group. All layers of colon tissue were normal and intact in each group. When compared with the control group, the small intestine propulsion rate and the average optical density (OD) values of LC3, Beclin-1 and NeuN in neurons of colonic muscularis were decreased (P<0.01), and autophagosomes were dropped in the model group. In the acupuncture group, the small intestine propulsion rate and the average OD values of NeuN, LC3 and Beclin-1 in neurons of colonic muscularis increased (P<0.01,P<0.05), and autophagosomes were elevated when compared with those in the model group. The small intestine propulsion rate and the average OD values of NeuN, LC3 and Beclin-1 in neurons of colonic muscularis were dropped (P<0.05,P<0.01) in the 3-MA + acupuncture group in comparison with those in the acupuncture group. CONCLUSIONS Electroacupuncture may promote enteric neuronal autophagy and increase the number of neurons so that the intestinal motility can be improved and constipation symptoms can be relieved in FC mice.
Mice ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Beclin-1 ; Acupuncture Points ; Constipation/therapy* ; Intestine, Small ; Autophagy ; Water