Reciprocal actions of acupoints on gastrointestinal peristalsis during electroacupuncture in mice

Orthogonal design was used to observe the gastrointestinal peristalsis in normal and atropine-treated mice after electroacupuncture was applied, singly or in combination, at Neiguan (P 6), Pishu (UB 20) and Zusanli (St 36). The results showed that: 1) electroacupuncture has no significant effect on the gastrointestinal peristalsis in normal mice; 2) Pishu (UB 20) was significantly antagonistic to Zusanli (St 36) in normal mice; 3) the decreased gastrointestinal peristalsis in atropine-treated mice was markedly promoted by electroacupuncture at Zusanli (St 36); and 4) Neiguan (P 6) was significantly antagonistic to Pishu (UB 20) in atropine-treated mice. The results indicated that the reciprocal actions among acupoints should be taken into consideration for point prescription.