Evidence Details for Kit
PMID Title Journal Year Abstract
24908398 Therapeutic effect and mechanism of electroacupuncture at Zusanli on plasticity of interstitial cells of Cajal: a study of rat ileum. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014 Jun 7;14:186. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-186. 2014 Jun 7 BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) is one of the techniques of acupuncture and is believed to be an effective alternative and complementary treatment in many disorders. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects and mechanisms of EA at acupoint Zusanli (ST36) on the plasticity of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in partial bowel obstruction. METHODS: A Sprague Dawley rat model of partial bowel obstruction was established and EA was conducted at Zusanli (ST36) and Yinglingquan (SP9) in test and control groups, respectively. Experiments were performed to study the effects and mechanisms of EA at Zusanli on intestinal myoelectric activity, distribution and alteration of ICCs, expression of inflammatory mediators, and c-Kit expression. RESULTS: 1) EA at Zusanli somewhat improved slow wave amplitude and frequency in the partial obstruction rats. 2) EA at Zusanli significantly stimulated the recovery of ICC networks and numbers. 3) the pro-inflammatory mediator TNF-alpha and NO activity were significantly reduced after EA at Zusanli, However, no significant changes were observed in the anti-inflammatory mediator IL-10 activity. 4) EA at Zusanli re-expressed c-Kit protein. However, EA at the control acupoint, SP9, significantly improved slow wave frequency and amplitude, but had no effect on ICC or inflammatory mediators. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that EA at Zusanli might have a therapeutic effect on ICC plasticity, and that this effect might be mediated via a decrease in pro-inflammatory mediators and through the c-Kit signaling pathway, but that the relationship between EA at different acupoints and myoelectric activity needs further study."

Evidence Sentence: Experiments were performed to study the effects and mechanisms of EA at Zusanli on intestinal myoelectric activity, distribution and alteration of ICCs, expression of inflammatory mediators, and c-Kit expression.
Evidence Sentence: 4) EA at Zusanli re-expressed c-Kit protein.
Evidence Sentence: These observations confirmed the success of the model.In addition to the distension and hypertrophy seen oral to the clip, animals with partial obstruction (but no EA treatment) had decreased slow wave amplitude and frequency in all 3 bowel segments (Figure 1), increased serum levels of TNF-alpha and NO (Figure 2), and decreased levels of c-Kit, results indicating that partial obstruction led to a loss of normal contractile control, an increase in inflammatory activity, and decreased numbers of ICCs.
Evidence Sentence: Effects of EA on c-Kit levels
Evidence Sentence: Partial bowel obstruction significantly lowered levels of c-Kit protein, the marker for ICC, in intestinal tissue.
Evidence Sentence: EA at Zusanli increased this lower level of c-Kit protein to levels not significantly different from those seen in normal and sham-operated rats.
Evidence Sentence: EA at the control acupoint had no effect on c-Kit protein levels.Comparisons between groups in c-Kit protein expression are shown in Figure 3.
Evidence Sentence: The c-Kit protein expression was significantly lower in the O-N and O-EY groups compared to the N and S groups (56.84 and 63.88 vs.
Evidence Sentence: We concluded that EA at Zusanli might have a therapeutic effect on ICC plasticity, and that this effect might be mediated via a decrease in pro-inflammatory mediators and through the c-Kit signaling pathway, but that the relationship between EA at different acupoints and myoelectric activity needs further study.