[The preventing and treating effects of electro-acupuncture on cholelithiasis in golden hamster]

In this study, the 38 golden hamsters, male and female each half, were divided into four groups: the control and control treating groups to feed normal foods; cholelithiasis model and model treating groups to feed special diet, which made high fat, high cholesterol and high carbohydrates to cause the cholelithiasis model of hamsters. After 30 day, the natural formation rate of gallstone rose to 50% (contral group), while model group, the formation rate was 100%. On the 30th day, the treatment was carried out. The control treating group and model treating group were acupunctured at Yanglingquan(G 34) and Qimen(Liv 14) through Riyue(G 24) on the right side of body respectively by electrotherapy. The period of treatment was total 7 days, once everyday and 10 min every once. The results showed: (1) In control treating group, the natural formation rate of gallstone of normal hamsters was dropped from 50% to 10%, the number of gall-tones was reduced markedly(P < 0.05) and number of huge gallstones was dropped to zero(P < 0.01). (2) In the cholelithiasis model treating group, the treatment of electrotherapy could significantly reduced the formation rate of cholelithiasis, the number of gallstones and the huge gall-stones(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Also, content of the cholesterol in plasma and bile were reduced, but the contents of the cholic acid secreted from the liver were obviously increased in the model hamsters. It was significant difference to compared with model group(P all < 0.05). (3) The electrotherapy increased the rhythmic actions and frequency of Oddi's sphincter electromyogram markedly(P < 0.05, P < 0.01) as well as secretion of hepatic bile(P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The effects of electrotherapy could continued 30 to 40 minutes. The results suggest that some points to acupuncture with electrotherapy can reduce the contents of cholesterol in plasma and bile, and increase the volumes of secretion of cholic acid, thus inhibit the crystallization of cholesterol from bile. At the sometime, the electrotherapy causes the rhythmic contractions of Oddi's sphincter and increase the secretion of bile, so the gallstones are discharged on its own initiative. Therefore the cholelithiasis is cured by acupuncture.