J Tradit Chin Med. 1999 Jun; 19(2): 141-4.

Reciprocal actions of acupoints on gastrointestinal peristalsis during electroacupuncture in mice.

Xu F, Chen R.

Jiangxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Orthogonal design was used to observe the gastrointestinal peristalsis in normal and atropine-treated mice after electroacupuncture was applied, singly or in combination, at Neiguan (P 6), Pishu (UB 20) and Zusanli (St 36). The results showed that: 1) electroacupuncture has no significant effect on the gastrointestinal peristalsis in normal mice; 2) Pishu (UB 20) was significantly antagonistic to Zusanli (St 36) in normal mice; 3) the decreased gastrointestinal peristalsis in atropine-treated mice was markedly promoted by electroacupuncture at Zusanli (St 36); and 4) Neiguan (P 6) was significantly antagonistic to Pishu (UB 20) in atropine-treated mice. The results indicated that the reciprocal actions among acupoints should be taken into consideration for point prescription.