Evaluation of influence of acupuncture and electro-acupuncture for blood perfusion of stomach by laser Doppler blood perfusion imaging

The objective of this study is to observe effects of acupuncture and electro-acupuncture (EA) on blood perfusion in the stomach, and probe into the application of laser Doppler blood perfusion imaging technique in the study of the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on the entrails. In the acupuncture group of 20 rats, acupuncture was given at “Zusanli” (ST 36) and in EA group of 18 rats, EA was applied at “Zusanli” (ST 36), with 18 rats without acupuncture used as control group. Changes of blood perfusion and microcirculation distribution in the stomach were investigated with laser Doppler blood perfusion imager (LDPI). The laser Doppler blood perfusion image could clearly display changes of blood flow distribution in the stomach before and after acupuncture. After acupuncture or EA was given at “Zusanli” (ST 36), the blood perfusion in the stomach increased significantly, the blood perfusion in the blood vessels and microcirculation of other parts significantly increased, and the maximum increase of the blood perfusion was found at 10 min after acupuncture or EA, with increases of 0.50 _ 0.11 (PU) and 0.66 _ 0.16 (PU), respectively, and the blood perfusion still kept at a higher degree within 10 min after ceasing of the acupuncture or EA. While the blood perfusion in the stomach in the rat of the control group tended to gradual decrease. It has been concluded that both acupuncture and EA can increase blood perfusion in the stomach, the EA having stronger action, and LDPI can display the regulative action of acupuncture on the blood vessel of the stomach by using an image.