Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 1995 ; 20(3): 40-5.

[Clinical and experimental researches in the inhibition of bile pigment lithogenesis by acupuncture and moxibustion]

Zhang S, Chen H, Gui J, Xu C, Zhu P, Cao Z.

Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian.

Clinical subjects were the patients in whom cholecystectomy and choledochotomy were performed with T tube drainage. Four groups of acupoints were established according to different point prescriptions. Under the strict control of experimental conditions and fixation of electrical acupuncture stimulation parameters, the changes of hepatic bile output were observed in five different stages before, during and after acupuncture, and compared with those in control group not treated by acupuncture. The results showed that electrical acupuncture of Ganshu (Back-Shu point) (GB 18) and Qimen (Front-Mu point) (LI 14) could obviously promote the secretion of hepatic bile. The immediate effect was superior to that in other groups. In a group not treated by acupuncture, hepatic bile output gradually decreased as time went on. In animal experiment, a model of bile pigment lithogenesis was made in guinea pig. The animals were randomly divided into five groups of control, simultaneous acupuncture, simultaneous moxibustion, re-acupuncture after one week and re-acupuncture after two weeks. The results indicated that electrical acupuncture or moxibustion of relevant acupoints such as Ganshu (GB 18) and Qimen (LI 14) could really very effectively inhibit the animal lithogenesis caused by lithogenesis food. A tendency was observed towards that the earlier acupuncture was performed, the better the preventive effect on lithogenesis. In the influence on lithogenesis bile, both acupuncture and moxibustion could reduce the contents of biliary total bilirubin and free bilirubin and the activity of biliary beta-glucuronidase. Acupuncture also produced an effect in lowering hepatic beta-glucuronidase but moxibustion didn't. Hepatohistological observation showed that lithogenous food could also cause fatty degeneration of liver, and moxibustion could markedly inhibit its progress. Both acupuncture and moxibustion didn't remarkably influence the content of serum cholesterol.