Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 11, 2025

Effects of Different Connection Modes of Electroacupuncture on Electrocardiogram and Nerve Discharge in Rats

Effects of Different Connection Modes of Electroacupuncture on Electrocardiogram and Nerve Discharge in Rats

Published on: January 3, 2025

Parkinson's disease constipation effect of electroacupuncture at ST25 through colonic motility and enteric

Li-Zhe-Xiong Song^1,2, Yuan Li^1,2, Xu Qian^1,2

¹Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.

Frontiers in Neurology

|February 3, 2023

Abstract

Background:

The enteric nervous system (ENS) plays a central role in developing Parkinson's disease (PD) constipation, and the regulation of the ENS may be a key component in treating PD constipation. Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively treat constipation symptoms in PD, but research on its specific mechanisms, especially in terms of ENS, is relatively lacking. Therefore, we investigated whether EA at ST25 promotes the restoration of ENS structure and colonic motor function in the rotenone-induced PD constipation rat model.

Methods:

In this study, we evaluated constipation symptoms by stool characteristics, excretion and water volume, and whole gut transit time and observed colonic motility regulation through colonic motion detection and pathological changes in the colonic myenteric nervous plexus by transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence staining.

Results:

EA significantly improved the constipation symptoms and positively adjusted the colonic motility in rotenone-induced PD constipation rats. At the same time, EA reversed the rotenone-induced colonic myenteric nervous plexus injury and regulated the ratio of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters.

Conclusion:

Our results indicate that EA treatment of PD constipation may be mediated through the adjustment of ENS.

Keywords:

Parkinson's disease constipation colonic motility electroacupuncture enteric nervous system neuropathology

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Using a 3D-Printed Holder for Simultaneous Multiple Electroacupuncture Operation

Author Spotlight: Using a 3D-Printed Holder for Simultaneous Multiple Electroacupuncture Operation

Published on: September 1, 2023

Electroacupuncture Combined with Chinese Medicine Ironing Therapy for Functional Constipation

Electroacupuncture Combined with Chinese Medicine Ironing Therapy for Functional Constipation

Published on: July 5, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists

Serotonin, a crucial neurotransmitter synthesized by enterochromaffin cells, plays a cardinal role in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility. With over 90% of the body's total serotonin in the GI tract, its influence on digestive processes is profound. Serotonin is swiftly released upon various stimuli, such as food boluses or certain drugs, triggering intrinsic sensory neurons in the myenteric plexus and extrinsic vagal and spinal sensory neurons. This leads to the activation of the...

Parkinson's Disease: Treatment

Parkinson's Disease: Treatment

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

Prokinetic agents are specialized medications that stimulate gastrointestinal (GI) motility, promoting food movement through the GI tract. Dopamine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, plays a significant role in this process, reducing GI motility and indirectly controlling the speed of digestion. Dopamine receptor antagonists, such as metoclopramide and domperidone, offer a unique advantage as prokinetic agents. By blocking the dopamine receptors, these drugs increase GI motility, improving food...

Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS

Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS

Pharmacological therapies for IBS-C are designed to alleviate abdominal discomfort and enhance bowel function. In patients with IBS-C, fiber supplements may help soften stools and decrease straining, but may also lead to increased gas production and bloating. Osmotic laxatives like milk of magnesia are frequently used to soften stools and increase stool frequency in IBS-C patients. In addition, two drugs approved for use in severe IBS-C adult cases are linaclotide (Linzess) and lubiprostone...

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives

Laxatives are primarily used to alleviate constipation, a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stools. They work by various mechanisms to increase the volume or frequency of bowel movements. The primary modes of action of laxatives include increasing stool bulk, softening the stool, stimulating intestinal motility, and osmotically drawing water into the intestines.
Osmotic or saline laxatives, like magnesium hydroxide or milk of...

Enteric Nervous System: Regulation of GI Motor Activity

Enteric Nervous System: Regulation of GI Motor Activity

The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) plays a pivotal role in regulating gastrointestinal or GI motor activity. This complex network of nerves, deeply embedded within the gut wall, responds to changes in the gut environment and receives input from both the autonomic nervous system and the central nervous system. By doing so, the ENS operates various programs tailored to the body's nutritional status and needs.
During periods of fasting, the ENS initiates the migrating myoelectric complex, a...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Solution-solid-solid mechanism: superionic conductors catalyze nanowire growth.

Nano letters·2013

Depending on the stage of hepatosteatosis, p53 causes apoptosis primarily through either DRAM-induced autophagy or BAX.

Liver international : official journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver·2013

Low-voltage switching of crease patterns on hydrogel surfaces.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2013

Long non-coding RNAs and prostate cancer.

Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology·2013

Self-assembled graphene quantum dots induced by cytochrome c: a novel biosensor for trypsin with remarkable fluorescence enhancement.

Nanoscale·2013

Relationship between glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1), X-ray repair cross complementing group 1 (XRCC1) and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (5,10-MTHFR) gene polymorphisms and response to chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer.

Onkologie·2013

See all related articles