Acupuncture for Chronic Atrophic Gastritis

Study on the Effect of Point-injection Treatment of Chronic Atrophic Gastritis and Its Mechanisms

This research consists of three parts: clinical observation, animal experiments and discussion of mechanisms.

Clinical Observation:

103 cases of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) were divided into two groups: acupoint injection treatment group and medication group. In the acupoint injection group, points Zusanli (ST 36), Weishu (UB 21) and Ganshu (UB 18) were used. The solution consisted of Huangqi (Astragalus Root) and Danggui (Chinese Angelica Root). Patients of the control group were asked to take Weining Decoction and some western medicines. Results showed a total effective rate of 90.3% in the acupoint injection group and 72.5% in the control group. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). Some indices of gastroscopy, biopsy, biochemistry, immunity, radio-immunity, and molecular biology were examined using modern methods of science and technology.

Animal experiments: 53 SD rats were divided into 6 groups including. One acupoint injection therapy and 5 control groups. The control groups were physiological saline group, muscle injection group, oral medicine group, CAG model group and a normal group. The CAG model was made by giving rats with MNNG. The acupont injection group was injected with Huangqi and Danggui injection at points Zhsanli (ST 36). Every group was observed for changes in pathology of the gastric mucosa, gastric secretion (gastric acid, peprase, gastrin) and function of immunity. The results showed that the acupoint injection group had much better improvement than the control groups and was similar to the normal group.

Discussion of Mechanisms:

The mechanism of CAG treatment is discussed from a TCM and western medicine viewpoint. According to TCM Weishu (BL21) point and Huangqi injection have the functioni of invigorating qi and strengthening the spleen for treating the Ben (primary cause) of CAG (deficiency of stomach and spleen). Gangshu (BL 18) point and Danggui injection, have the function of promoting blood circulation and activating the collaterals for the Biao (manifestations) of CAG (blood stasis in collaterals). Zusanli (ST 36) point has the function of invigorating qi, moring blood, and activating channels and collaterals. Points and medicines acupoint injection affect each other in treating CAG. According to western medicine acupoint injection therapy can regulate the dysfunction of the gastrointestinal vegetative nerves, promote gastric secretion, regulate the function of immunity, promote blood circulation of gastric mucosa, clear HP and O2, control the spread of inflammatory cells, revert atrophy and intestinal metaplasia, regulate and control hyperplasia and the differentiation of cells in the gastric mucosa, so that CAG is cured and stomach carcinoma prevented.

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