Electroacupuncture at He-Mu points reduces P2X4 receptor expression in visceral hypersensitivity

Electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu (ST37) and Tianshu (ST25) was reported to improve visceral hypersensitivity in rats.Colorectal distension was utilized to generate a rat model of chronic visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome.Results showed that abdominal withdrawal reflex scores noticeably increased after model establishment.Simultaneously,P2X 4 receptor immunoreactivity significantly increased in the colon and spinal cord.Electroacupuncture and pinaverium bromide therapy both markedly decreased abdominal withdrawal reflex scores in rats with visceral hypersensitivity,and significantly decreased P2X 4 receptor immunoreactivity in the colon and spinal cord.These data suggest that electroacupuncture treatment can improve visceral hypersensitivity in rats with irritable bowel syndrome by diminishing P2X 4 receptor immunoreactivity in the colon and spinal cord.