Poststroke Constipation Is Associated With Impaired Rectal Sensation.

Objectives: Constipation is prevalent in individuals after stroke. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms of poststroke constipation remain unclear. This study was designed (i) to investigate the difference in anorectal motility and rectal sensation among stroke patients with constipation, stroke patients without constipation, and healthy controls (HC), (ii) to evaluate the impact of stroke sites on constipation and rectal sensation, (iii) to explore the role of autonomic functions, and (iv) to determine the independent risk factors for poststroke constipation.

Elevation of Lower Esophageal Sphincter Pressure With Acute Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation Synchronized With Inspiration.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common esophageal disorder. Transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA), as a needleless method of electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to improve hypotensive lower esophageal sphincters pressure (LESP) in GERD. Synchronized TEA (STEA) with inspiration has been revealed to be more effective than TEA in enhancing vagal tone.

Transcutaneous Neuromodulation at ST36 (Zusanli) is More Effective than Transcutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation in Treating Constipation.

Background And Goals: Combined transcutaneous neuromodulation (TN) at acupoint ST36 (Zusanli) and TN at the posterior tibial nerve (PTN) has been reported effective in treating functional constipation. This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of TN between these 2 points.

Materials And Methods: Eighteen functional constipation patients (M/F: 9/9) were recruited to participate in a cross-over study with a 2-week TN at ST36 and a 2-week TN at PTN.

Transcutaneous electrical acustimulation synchronized with inspiration improves gastric accommodation impaired by cold stress in healthy subjects.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) synchronized with inspiration (STEA), a method known to enhance vagal activity, was more effective than TEA in improving cold stress-induced impairment in gastric accommodation (GA) and dyspeptic symptoms in healthy subjects.

Methods: Each of fifteen healthy subjects was studied in five randomized sessions: control (warm nutrient liquid), cold nutrient liquid (CNL), CNL+sham-TEA, CNL+TEA, and CNL+STEA. The subjects were requested to drink Ensure until reaching maximum satiety.

Needleless Transcutaneous Neuromodulation Accelerates Postoperative Recovery Mediated via Autonomic and Immuno-Cytokine Mechanisms in Patients With Cholecystolithiasis.

Background: Postsurgical gastrointestinal disturbance is clinically characterized by the delayed passage of flatus and stool, delayed resumption of oral feeding, dyspepsia symptoms, and postsurgical pain. This study was designed 1) to evaluate the effects of needleless transcutaneous neuromodulation (TN) on postoperative recovery; 2) to investigate mechanisms of the TN involving autonomic functions in postoperative patients after removal of the gallbladder.

Methods: Sixty patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) were randomized to TN (n = 30) and sham-TN (n = 30).

Needleless Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation: A Pilot Study Evaluating Improvement in Post-Operative Recovery.

Background: Functional gastrointestinal disturbance occurs after abdominal surgeries and could last for an extended period of time in some cases. This study was designed (1) to evaluate the effects of needleless transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) on postoperative recovery, and (2) to investigate the mechanisms involving autonomic function in postoperative patients after removal of gastrointestinal cancers.

Methods: Forty-two patients (33 male, age: 69.

Preventive effects of transcutaneous electrical acustimulation on ischemic stroke-induced constipation mediated via the autonomic pathway.

The aim of this study was to explore the preventive effect and possible mechanisms of transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) on stroke-induced constipation. A total of 86 ischemic stroke patients were randomly allocated to 2-wk TEA or sham-TEA group. Bowel dairy and Bristol Stool Form Scale were recorded daily.

Circulating motilin, ghrelin, and GLP-1 and their correlations with gastric slow waves in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) commonly complain upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, especially anorexia. Hemodialysis (HD) has been noted to improve GI symptoms; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study was designed ) to study effects of HD on GI symptoms and gastric slow waves; and ) to investigate possible roles of ghrelin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1): the study recruited 13 healthy controls, 20 CKD patients without HD (CKD group), and 18 CKD patients with HD (HD group).

Effects and mechanisms of auricular electroacupuncture on gastric hypersensitivity in a rodent model of functional dyspepsia.

Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common functional gastrointestinal disease, and abdominal pain is one of the main symptoms. The aim of this study was to explore the effects and mechanisms of auricular electro-acupuncture (AEA) on gastric hypersensitivity in a rodent model of FD.

Methods: Ten-day-old pups were gavaged with 0.

Anorectal manometry: Should it be performed in a seated position?

Background: Anorectal manometry (ARM) is typically preformed in a lateral position. This non-physiological testing position has produced an unexpected negative rectoanal pressure gradient (RAPG, i.e.

Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Acustimulation on Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Objective. To investigate effects and possible mechanisms of transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) performed by a wearable watch-size stimulator for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (RGERD). Methods.

Inhibitory Effects and Sympathetic Mechanisms of Distension in the Distal Organs on Small Bowel Motility and Slow Waves in Canine.

Rectal distension (RD) is known to induce intestinal dysmotility. Few studies were performed to compare effects of RD, colon distension (CD) and duodenal distension (DD) on small bowel motility. This study aimed to investigate effects and underlying mechanisms of distensions in these regions on intestinal motility and slow waves.

Ameliorating effect of transcutaneous electroacupuncture on impaired gastric accommodation induced by cold meal in healthy subjects.

Background: Impaired gastric accommodation is recognized as one of major pathophysiologies in functional dyspepsia and gastroparesis. Electroacupuncture has been shown to improve gastric accommodation in laboratory settings. It is, however, unknown whether it exerts similar ameliorating effect in humans and whether needleless transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) is also effective in improving gastric accommodation.

Needleless transcutaneous electroacupuncture improves rectal distension-induced impairment in intestinal motility and slow waves via vagal mechanisms in dogs.

Aim: This study was designed to compare the effects and mechanisms of transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) on rectal distention (RD)-induced intestinal dysmotility with EA.

Methods: six female dogs chronically implanted with a duodenal fistula, a proximal colon fistula and intestinal serosal electrodes were studied. EA and TEA were performed via needles and cutaneous electrodes placed at bilateral ST-36 (Zusanli) acupoints respectively; their effects on postprandial intestinal dysmotility (slow waves, contractions and transit) induced by RD, and autonomic functions were compared.

Efficacy of Adaptive Biofeedback Training in Treating Constipation-Related Symptoms.

Biofeedback therapy is a well-known and effective therapeutic treatment for constipation. A previous study suggested that adaptive biofeedback (ABF) training was more effective than traditional (fixed training parameters) biofeedback training. The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of ABF in relieving constipation-related symptoms.

Ameliorating Effect of Transcutaneous Electroacupuncture on Impaired Gastric Accommodation in Patients with Postprandial Distress Syndrome-Predominant Functional Dyspepsia: A Pilot Study.

Patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) have both reduced gastric accommodation and impaired gastric motility that are difficult to treat. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) for both of these disorders in FD patients. Acute experiments were performed in FD patients to study the effect of TEA and sham-TEA on gastric accommodation assessed by a nutrient drink test and gastric motility assessed by the measurement of the electrogastrogram (EGG).

Prokinetic effects of large-dose lubiprostone on gastrointestinal transit in dogs and its mechanisms.

Objective: To systemically explore effects of large dose of lubiprostone on gastrointestinal (GI) transit and contractions and its safety in dogs.

Methods: 12 healthy dogs were studied. 6 dogs were operated to receive duodenal cannula and colon cannula and the other 6 dogs received gastric cannula.

Ameliorating effects and autonomic mechanisms of needle-less transcutaneous electrical stimulation at ST36 on stress-induced impairment in gastric slow waves.

Background And Aim: Stress has long been documented to alter gastrointestinal motility. The effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on stress and gastric motility are relatively well known; however, whether EA has an ameliorating effect on stress-induced dysmotility remained unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of needle-less transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) on stress-induced impairment in gastric slow waves.

Electroacupuncture via Chronically Implanted Electrodes: Potential Treatment for Chemotherapy-Induced Delayed Emesis.

Objectives: We proposed a novel method of chronic electroacupuncture (EA) using implanted electrodes for the treatment of chronic chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). We aimed to establish a rodent model of delayed emesis and explore EA effects on kaolin intake.

Materials And Methods: Saline-treated and cisplatin-treated rats underwent chronic placement of electrodes at bilateral PC6 and ST36 acupoints.

Ameliorating effects of auricular electroacupuncture on rectal distention-induced gastric dysrhythmias in rats.

Gastric slow waves (GSW) are known to regulate gastric motility and are impaired with rectal distention (RD). Electroacupuncture (EA) at body acupoints, such as ST 36, has been shown to improve gastric dysrhythmias; however, little is known about the possible effects of auricular electroacupuncture (AEA) on GSW. To study effects and possible mechanisms of AEA on RD-induced gastric dysrhythmias in rats, ten male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats implanted with gastric serosal electrodes were studied in two different experiments in fed state.

Transcutaneous Neuromodulation at Posterior Tibial Nerve and ST36 for Chronic Constipation.

The aims of this study were to investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of transcutaneous neuromodulation (TN) in patients with chronic constipation. Twelve patients were recruited. The treatment consisted of 2-week TN and 2-week sham-TN which was performed in a crossover design.

Effects and mechanisms of transcutaneous electroacupuncture on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Nausea and vomiting are one of the major complications of chemotherapy for cancers. The aim of this study is to investigate the emetic effects and mechanisms involving serotonin and dopamine of needleless transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA) at Neiguan (PC6) and Jianshi (PC5) on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with cancers. Seventy-two patients with chemotherapy were randomly divided into sham-TEA group (sham-TEA, n = 34) and TEA group (n = 38).

Hypoglycemic effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture on insulin resistance.

The aim of this study was to investigate effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) on blood glucose and insulin sensitivity in mice fed a high-fat diet. Both wild-type (WT) and adipose ectonucleotide pyrophosphate phosphodiesterase (ENPP1) transgenic (TG) mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 wk; for each mouse, an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT) were performed with or without EA at abdomen or auricular areas. A high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance in both WT and TG mice.

Desvenlafaxine succinate ameliorates visceral hypersensitivity but delays solid gastric emptying in rats.

Desvenlafaxine succinate (DVS) is a novel serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of DVS on visceral hypersensitivity and solid gastric emptying in a rodent model of gastric hyperalgesia. Twenty-eight gastric hyperalgesia rats and 20 control rats were used.

Electrogastrography: methodology, validation and applications.

Electrogastrography (EGG) is a non-invasive method for the measurement of gastric myoelectrical activity. It was first discovered in 1921 and popularized in 1990s. EGG is attractive because it is non-invasive.