Evaluation of abdominal massage as a non-pharmacological modality to restore gut microbiota and duodenal barrier function in a rat model of functional dyspepsia

Abstract

Background

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder associated with impaired motility, mucosal barrier disruption, and dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota. While pharmacological treatments exist, non-invasive therapeutic approaches leveraging traditional medicine are gaining attention for their holistic benefits and minimal side effects.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic impact of abdominal massage, a non-pharmacological intervention rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), on gastrointestinal motility, duodenal barrier integrity, and gut microbiota in a rat model of FD.

Methods

Eighteen male rats were assigned to control, model, and massage groups. The FD model was established via multifactorial stress. The massage group underwent daily abdominal massage for 7 days. Food intake, body weight, gastric emptying, and intestinal propulsion were assessed. Duodenal tissue morphology, expression of tight junction proteins (occludin and claudin-1), and intestinal microbiota profiles (via 16S rRNA sequencing) were analyzed using histological, immunofluorescence, and high-throughput sequencing technologies.

Results

Abdominal massage significantly improved gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion in FD rats. Histological examination revealed restoration of duodenal villi architecture, and immunofluorescence showed increased expression of occludin and claudin-1. Microbiota analysis suggested a shift toward a more balanced community, with trends indicating increased abundance of beneficial taxa such as Enterococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae.

Conclusion

Abdominal massage effectively enhances gastrointestinal motility, suggests potential to promote intestinal microbiota homeostasis, and repairs mucosal barrier dysfunction in FD rats. These findings suggest the potential of massage therapy as a safe, non-invasive, and technologically integrable modality in the management of gastrointestinal disorders.