Previous studies have demonstrated that electroacupuncture therapy is effective in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. However, the precise mechanism of this therapy is unknown. The present study served to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture therapy on treatment of patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We compared brain activation maps based on the changes of cerebral glucose metabolism obtained by 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scanning under three conditions: resting, rectal balloon distension and rectal balloon distension plus electroacupuncture. Under the resting condition, compared with healthy controls, IBS patients displayed an increasing regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose over a wide range: bilateral superior temporal gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, superior frontal gyrus and bilateral middle frontal gyrus. However, there was no significant activity in the visceral pain center. Compared with the resting condition, under the rectal balloon distension condition, patients with IBS had a greater regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose in the prefrontal cortex, left anterior cingulate cortex, postcentral gyrus, precentral gyrus and temporal gyrus. Under the rectal balloon distension plus electroacupuncture condition, stimulation by electroacupuncture at Tianshu (ST 25) manifested a decreased regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose in the left cingulate gyrus, right insula, right caudate nucleus, fusiform gyrus and hippocampal gyrus. Electroacupuncture therapy relieved abdominal pain, distension or discomfort by decreasing glucose metabolism in the brain.
[1]Shanghai Univ Tradit Chinese Med, Key Lab Acupuncture Moxibust & Immunol Effects, Shanghai Res Inst Acupuncture & Meridian, Shanghai 200030, Peoples R China.
[2]Fudan Univ, PET Ctr, Huashan Hosp, Shanghai 200235, Peoples R China.
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