%0 Journal Article
%T Simotang enhances gastrointestinal motility, motilin and cholecystokinin expression in chronically stressed mice
%A Guang-Xian Cai
%A Bai-Yan Liu
%A Jian Yi
%A Xue-Mei Chen
%A Fu-Ling Liu
%J World Journal of Gastroenterology
%D 2011
%I Baishideng Publishing Group Co. Limited
%X AIM: To investigate the effect of Simotang (Decoction of Four Powered Drugs) on gastrointestinal motility, motilin and cholecystokinin expression in chronically stressed mice.METHODS: Forty mice were randomly divided into control group, stress group (model group), mosapride group and Simotang group, 10 in each group. A variety of unpredictable stimulations were used to induce chronic stress in mice. Then, the mice were treated with distilled water, mosapride or Simotang for 7 d. Gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion function were detected. Serum level of motilin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of cholecystokinin (CCK) in intestine, spinal cord and brain of mice was detected by immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively.RESULTS: Simotang improved the gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion in chronically stressed mice. Furthermore, the serum motilin level was significantly higher and the expression levels of CCK-positive cells and genes were significantly lower in intestine, spinal cord and brain of Simotang group than in those of model group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in serum motilin level and expression levels of CCK-positive cells and genes between the mosapride and Simotang groups.CONCLUSION: Simotang enhances the gastrointestinal motility in chronically stressed mice by regulating the serum motilin level and the expression of cholecystokinin.
%K Simotang
%K Chronic stress
%K Motilin
%K Cholecystokinin
%K Gastrointestinal motility
%U http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v17/i12/1594.htm