Electroacupuncture at ST25 ameliorated gastrointestinal dysmotility via downregulation sympathetic nerve-mediated α2-adrenoceptors in postoperative ileus

Electroacupuncture (EA) ameliorated gastrointestinal dysmotility and inhibited celiac sympathetic overactivation. The α2-adrenergic signaling pathway was involved in the regulation of gastrointestinal dysmotility and was regulated by EA stimulation. The α2-adrenoceptors (α2-ARs) regulated the activation of macrophages in postoperative ileus (POI). The improvement of EA in gastrointestinal motility was mimicked by sympathectomy and α2-adrenoceptors antagonist.