Acupuncture at “Zusanli” (St.36)‎ and “Sanyinjiao” (SP.6)‎ Points on the Gastrointestinal Tract : A Study of the Bioavailability of 99mTc-Sodium Pertechnetate in Rats

Abstract EN

The objective of this study is to investigate the differences of acupuncture effect between the Zusanli (St.36) and Sanyinjiao (SP.6) points on the gastrointestinal-tract (GIT) segment performed by the bioavailability of 99mTc-sodium-pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in rats.

Male Wistar rats (n = 21) were allocated into three groups of seven each.

Group 1 was treated by acupuncture bilaterally at St.36; Group 2 at SP.6; and Group 3 was untreated (control).

After 10 min of needle insertion in anesthetized rats, 0.3 mL of Na99mTcO4 (7.4 MBq) was injected via ocular-plexus.

After 20 min, the exitus of animals was induced by cervical-dislocation and GIT organs isolated.

However, immediately before the exitus procedure, blood was collected by cardiac-puncture for blood radio-labeling (BRL).

The radioactivity uptake of the blood constituents was calculated together with the GIT organs by a well gamma counter.

The percentage of injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g) of Na99mTcO4 was calculated for each GIT organs, while BRL was calculated in %ID.

According to the one-way ANOVA, the stomach, jejunum, ileum from the treated groups (Group 1 and Group 2) had significant differences compared to the controls (Group 3).

However, between the treated groups (Group 1 and Group 2), there were significant differences (P < .05) in the stomach, jejunum, ileum, cecum, transverse and rectum.

In BRL analysis, Group 2 showed significant increase and decrease of the insoluble and soluble fractions of the blood cells, respectively (P < .0001).

The authors suggest that St.36 may have a tendency of up-regulation effect on GIT, whereas SP.6, down-regulation effect.

However, further rigorous experimental studies to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture in either acupuncture points need to be carried out.