Neural Regeneration Research, 2013 · DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.22.006 · Published: August 1, 2013
This study investigates the effects of electroacupuncture on visceral hypersensitivity, a condition associated with irritable bowel syndrome, in rats. The researchers found that electroacupuncture at specific acupoints reduced the expression of P2X4 receptors in the colon and spinal cord of rats with visceral hypersensitivity. These findings suggest that electroacupuncture may alleviate visceral hypersensitivity by modulating P2X4 receptor activity.
Electroacupuncture at He-Mu points may serve as a potential therapeutic intervention for managing visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome.
The study provides insights into the regulatory effect of acupuncture on purinergic receptors, specifically P2X4, in the context of visceral pain.
The findings offer a rationale for further investigating the clinical application of electroacupuncture for alleviating abdominal pain and discomfort in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.