SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Electroacupuncture”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2006

Analgesic effect of electroacupuncture in postthoracotomy pain: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The role of electroacupuncture in postthoracotomy pain control is uncertain. We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the role of electroacupuncture in the management of early postthoracotomy wound pain. METHODS: A total of 27 patients with operable non-small cell lung carcinoma who received thoracotomy were recruited and randomized to receive either electroacupuncture or sham acupuncture in addition to routine oral analgesics and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia for postoperative pain control. All patients received acupuncture twice daily with visual analog pain score recorded for the first 7 postoperative days. Specific chest acupoints (LI 4, GB 34, GB 36, and TE 8) were targeted. Patient-controlled analgesia was used for the first 3 postoperative days in all patients, and the cumulative dosage used was recorded. RESULTS: Two patients were excluded after randomization because of complications unrelated to acupuncture. Interventions and data collection were completed for the remaining 25 patients (13 in the electroacupuncture group; 12 in the sham acupuncture group). There was a trend for lower visual analog scale pain scores in the electro-acupuncture group between postoperative days 2 and 6, although this did not reach statistical significance. The cumulative dose of patient-controlled analgesia morphine used on postoperative day 2 was significantly lower in the electroacupuncture group (7.5 +/- 5 mg versus 15.6 +/- 12 mg; p < 0.05). Such delay of onset of pain control may be related to the frequency of electroacupuncture used. CONCLUSIONS: Electroacupuncture may reduce narcotic analgesic usage in the early postoperative period. A prospective randomized controlled trial using different electroacupuncture frequency is warranted to verify this benefit.

Acetaminophen↗

PubMed2004

A C-fiber reflex inhibition induced by electroacupuncture with different intensities applied at homotopic and heterotopic acupoints in rats selectively destructive effects on myelinated and unmyelinated afferent fibers.

The aims of this study were to explore the C-fiber reflex inhibition induced by electroacupuncture with different intensities applied at homotopic or heterotopic acupoints, and to determine the influence selectively destroyed myelinated and unmyelinated afferent fibers on the C-fiber reflex inhibition. In the ipsilateral local acupoint, the general behavior of the C-fiber reflex can be depressed by electroacupuncture below the threshold of Adelta-fiber activation. Electroacupuncture stimulation within the intensity of Adelta-fiber activation applied to the ipsilateral limb pretreated with cobra venom did not elicit inhibition of C-fiber reflex in rats with demyelinated sciatic nerve. However, heterotopic electroacupuncture below the threshold of Adelta-fiber activation was totally ineffective. In contralateral heterotopic acupoints, the C-fiber reflex can be depressed only by electroacupuncture with stimulating intensities exceeding thresholds of Adelta and C-fiber activation. Electroacupuncture stimuli applied to capsaicin-pretreated limb in the intensities of threshold of Adelta-fiber and treble thresholds of C-fiber activation produced only a little inhibition of C-fiber reflex. Inhibitory intensity was roughly similar to that induced by the stimulation with intensity for the activation of Adelta-fiber in normal animal. In the spinalized animals transections at T6-T7 segments, regardless of intensities, the homotopic electroacupuncture stimulation only induced moderate depression of C-fiber reflex similar to that of Adelta-fiber activation; whereas, no matter what intensities of application, the inhibitory effects of C-fiber reflex disappeared totally by using heterotopic noxious electroacupuncture in these animals.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed1999

Effects of electroacupuncture on gastric migrating myoelectrical complex in dogs.

The aim-of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the gastric slow wave during different phases of the migrating myoelectrical complex (MMC) and the effect of electroacupuncture on the MMC. The experiment was performed in eight hound dogs implanted with one pair of bipolar serosal electrodes 2 cm proximal to the pylorus. Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded for three complete cycles of the MMC in two sessions, one with electroacupuncture at points ST36 and PC6 and the other at sham points. The acupuncture was performed for 30 min in phase I of the second cycle of the MMC. Spectral analysis was performed to compute the frequency and power (amplitude) of the gastric slow wave, whereas blind visual analysis was applied to compute the appearance of spike potentials and the length of each phase of the MMC. It was found that there was a significant difference in the frequency and power of the gastric slow wave during different phases of the MMC (P < 0.05). Phase I was characterized with the highest frequency and lowest power of the gastric slow wave, whereas phase III exhibited the highest power in the slow wave. It was also found that in comparison with the sham points, electroacupuncture at the acupoints increased the number of spike bursts. This increase was not significant during the MMC cycle with electroacupuncture (34.4+/-4.1 vs 27.5+/-2.5%, P > 0.05) but became significant during the cycle after electroacupuncture (39.8+/-3.3% vs 27.5+/-2.5%, P < 0.0005). Similarly, during the MMC cycle after electroacupuncture at the acupoints, there was a significant decrease in the length of phase I (14.8+/-2.2 vs 46.9+/-6.1 min, P < 0.003) and a significant increase in the length of phase II (75.6+/-9.9 vs 30.6+/-4.1 min, P < 0.003) and phase III (25.8+/-0.6 vs 22.1+/-0.7 min, P < 0.003). A similar increase was observed during the MMC cycle with electroacupuncture but was not statistically significant. In conclusion, the gastric slow wave has the highest power during phase III of the MMC, indicating that the antral contraction is characterized not only by the appearance of spikes, but also by the increased power of the slow wave. Electroacupuncture at acupoints of ST36 and PC6 enhances the gastric MMC by reducing the length of phase I and increasing the length of phases II and III.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed2004

Alterations in the function of cerebral dopaminergic and serotonergic systems following electroacupuncture and moxibustion applications: possible correlates with their antistress and psychosomatic actions.

Alterations in cerebral monoamines following application of electroacupuncture were investigated using conscious rats with and without application of restraining stress. The dopamine and serotonin levels were significantly decreased in the nucleus accumbens, caudate putamen, and lateral hypothalamus and increased in the dorsal raphe nucleus by restraining stress. On the other hand, application of electroacupuncture on the lumbar and hindlimb segments eliminated the above changes in dopamine, while the changes in serotonin were attenuated by lumbar and hindlimb electroacupuncture. However, the effects of hindlimb electroacupuncture were greater than those of lumbar electroacupuncture. These results clearly indicate that lumbar and hindlimb electroacupuncture stimulations have differential effects on brain monoaminergic neurons in rats exposed to restraining stress. Moxa burning stimulation was applied to the lumbar and hindlimb segments of rats without restraining stress. The dopamine level was significantly increased in the midbrain substantia nigra-ventrotegmental area by hindlimb moxibusion. On the other hand, the serotonin levels were significantly increased in the nucleus amygdala by lumber moxibusion and decreased in the nucleus accumbens by hindlimb moxibusion. The present results indicate that electroacupuncture applied to the lumbar and hindlimb segments has an antistress effect, while the application of moxibustion to the lumbar and hindlimb segments was likely to stimulate the functions of mesocortical and mesolimbic dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons. We suggest that functional alterations in cerebral dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons are involved in the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture and moxibustion, especially because of their antistress and psychosomatic actions.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[The effect of electroacupuncture on the weakening of CPP of morphine dependence rats and the mechanism therein involved].

OBJECTIVE: To address the research questions whether electroacupuncture can weaken the CPP of morphine dependence rats and whether the neurobiological mechanism for control of anxiety is related to the transcription of DBI mRNA. METHODS: Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, electroacupuncture group and morphine group. After the CPP model was constructed. The time of CPP was examined on the 5th and 10th day as the interventional electroacupuncture was instituted. The total RNA was extracted from the brain of sacrificed rat and was defected by use of RT-PCR. RESULTS: The CPP time of the electroacupuncture group was significantly decreased on the 5th and 10th day after abstinence (P<0.05). The transcription of the DBI mRNA of the electroacupuncture group was obviously lower than that of the morphine group (P<0.05), and there was no difference between the electroacupuncture group and control group. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture can weaken the CPP of the morphine dependence rats, and the neurobiological mechanism may be related to the electroacupuncture-induced transcription of DBI mRNA.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Effects of electroacupuncture on CRH, IL-2 and beta-EP contents in the hypothalamus in the rat of adjuvant arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore Mechanisms of electroacupuncture in anti-inflammation and immunoregulation, and to compare differences among "Dazhui" (GV 14), "Mingmen "(GV 4) and non-acupoint in these actions. METHODS: Adjuvant arthritis rat model was made. The rats were divided into 5 groups: normal group, model group, "Dazhui" (GV 14) electroacupuncture group, "Mingmen" (GV 4) electroacupuncture group and non-acupoint electroacupuncture group. Effects of electroacupuncture on local joint inflammation and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), beta-endorphin (betaEP) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) contents in the hypothalamus were observed and differences of the actions among different points were compared. RESULTS: CRH content in the hypothalamus in the "Dazhui" (GV 14) electroacupuncture group decreased as compared with the model group (P < 0.05); there was no significant change in beta-EP and IL-2 contents of the hypothalamus in the 3 electroacupuncture groups as compared with the model group (P > 0.05); there was positive correlation between CRH and IL-2 contents, and between IL-2 and beta-EP contents in the hypothalamus. The swelling rate of the toe in the "Dazhui" (GV 14) group and the "Mingmen" (GV 4) group was lower than that in the non-acupoint group (P < 0 05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture exerts anti-inflammation and immunoregulation possibly via regulation of CRH, IL-2 and beta-EP each other, and the anti-inflammation action of "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Mingmen" (GV 4) is stronger than that of non-acupoint.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed1993

[Effects of capsaicin and electroacupuncture on the fluoride resistant acid phosphatase (FRAP) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of rats: a histochemical observation].

UNLABELLED: 31 adult rats were divided into 4 groups: 1) Electroacupuncture group; 2) Capsaicin group (capsaicin was applied one the left sciatic nerve, the night on of the same body was used with vehicle as control); 3) Capaicin combined with electroacupuncture group; 4) Control group. Pain thresholds, both basal and after treatment were determined. Successive cryo-sections of DRG were cut and the neighbouring section of the same group were performed for AChE and FRAP examination. RESULTS: Little disparity in basal pain threshold was found among the four groups. The pain threshold became obviously higher after electroacupuncture, but only slightly higher after capsaicin treatment combined with electroacupuncture. In the electroacupuncture group, the number of DRG-B-type cell containing strong positive FRAP and AChE was obviously more than in the control group. In the capsaicin group, the number of DRG-B-type cell with FRAP and AChE activity was obviously reduced as compared with the untreated side of the same body. In the capsaicin and electroacupuncture group FRAP and AChE-activities in the DRG-B-type cells were slightly increased. The results showed that strong activities of FRAP and AChE were found in part of the DRG cells of normal rats, the two enzymes were found to coexist in the some B-type cells. The effect of electroacupuncture analgesia was depressed after capsaicin treatment, while the activities of the two enzymes and the number of positive cells appeared in the ganglion were reduced correspondingly. Nevertheless, under electroacupuncture analgesia AA the enzymes activities and the numbers of positive cells were increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholinesterase↗

PubMed1999

An insulin-dependent hypoglycaemia induced by electroacupuncture at the Zhongwan (CV12) acupoint in diabetic rats.

Acupuncture at the Zhongwan acupoint has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve symptoms of diabetes mellitus. Our study investigated the effect on plasma glucose of electroacupuncture applied at the Zhongwan acupoint in rat diabetic models. Plasma concentrations of insulin, glucagon and beta-endorphin- were also determined using radioimmunoassay. A decrease in plasma glucose was observed in rats after electroacupuncture (15 Hz, 10 mA) for 30 min at the Zhongwan acupoint. This was observed in normal rats and rat models with Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. No significant effect on plasma glucose was observed in rat models with Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus: neither the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats nor the genetic (BB/W) rats. Further, the hypoglycaemic action of electroacupuncture stimulation disappeared in rats with insulin-resistance induced by an injection of human long-acting insulin repeated daily to cause the loss of tolbutamide-induced hypoglycaemia. An insulin-related action can thus be hypothesised. This hypothesis is supported by an increase in plasma insulin-like immunoreactivity after electroacupuncture stimulation in normal rats. Participation of glucagon was ruled out because there was no change in plasma glucagon-like immunoreactivity resulting from electroacupuncture stimulation. In addition to an increase in plasma beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity, the plasma glucose lowering action of electroacupuncture stimulation at Zhongwan acupoint was abolished by naloxone in a sufficient dose to block opioid receptors. Thus we suggest that electroacupuncture stimulation at the Zhongwan acupoint induces secretion of endogenous beta-endorphin which reduces plasma glucose concentration in an insulin-dependent manner.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed2000

A sustained, non-insulin related, hypoglycaemic effect of electroacupuncture in diabetic Psammomys obesus.

AIM/HYPOTHESIS: Electroacupuncture has been shown to induce a short-term hypoglycaemic effect in streptozotocin diabetic rats. We designed an experiment to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture in Psammomys obesus, a model of insulin resistance and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. METHODS: We divided 29 diabetic Psammomys randomly into three groups: abdominal electroacupuncture (real, n = 11), back electroacupuncture (placebo, n = 9) and control (anaesthesia, n = 9). Electroacupuncture was carried out on days 1, 3 and 5 of the experiment. During the first week of the experiment, blood glucose was tested three times on treatment days and once on the following days. Over the next 2 weeks, blood glucose was tested every other day. Animals were weighed at the same time of blood sampling. After 3 weeks, at the end of the experiment, blood was drawn for measurement of insulin, fructosamine, cholesterol and triglycerides. RESULTS: At day 5 (end of intervention), blood glucose (as per cent of primary concentrations, means +/- SE) was 57 +/- 10, 93 +/- 13 and 89 +/- 11 for the real, placebo and control groups respectively (p = 0.02). At day 8, blood glucose 68 +/- 14, 86 +/- 16 and 97 +/- 9 for the real, placebo and control groups respectively (p = 0.04). At day 22, blood glucose was 79 +/- 11, 85 +/- 15 and 131 +/- 2 for the real, placebo and control groups (p = 0.04). Comparison of the decline in blood glucose, throughout the 3 weeks, between the real and placebo groups by ANOVA was highly significant (p < 0.0001), the difference between the placebo and control groups at the same time was not significant (p > 0.05). Animal weight gain, serum insulin, fructosamine, cholesterol and triglycerides were not significantly different between real and placebo groups. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: Electroacupuncture at special abdominal acupoints induces a sustained hypoglycaemic effect in diabetic Psammomys compared with electroacupuncture at non-specific points, without weight loss. No hypoinsulinaemic effect was shown in the real and placebo groups.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2006

Disruption of glial function enhances electroacupuncture analgesia in arthritic rats.

Activated glia play a major role in mediating behavioral hypersensitive state following peripheral inflammation. Electroacupuncture is well known to relieve persistent inflammatory pain. The present study was undertaken to examine whether fluorocitrate, a glial metabolic inhibitor, could synergize electroacupuncture antagonizing thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia evoked by ankle joint inflammation. Monoarthritis of rat ankle joint was induced by an intra-articular injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA). The paw withdrawal latency (PWL) from a thermal stimulus and paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) from von Frey hairs were measured in awake rats. Intrathecal (i.t.) injection of 1 nmol fluorocitrate markedly suppressed monoarthritis-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Unilateral electroacupuncture stimulation of "Huantiao" (GB30) and "Yanglingquan" (GB34) acupuncture points (100/2 Hz alternation, 1-2-3 mA) significantly elevated the PWLs and PWTs for 45 min after cessation of electroacupuncture in monoarthritic rats. Co-application of 0.1 or 1 nmol fluorocitrate with electroacupuncture significantly potentiated electroacupuncture analgesia, although 0.1 nmol fluorocitrate alone had no effect on PWLs and PWTs in monoarthritic rats. These results suggested that electroacupuncture and disrupting glial function could synergistically antagonize inflammatory pain, which might provide a potential strategy for the treatment of arthritic pain.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2002

Excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists and electroacupuncture synergetically inhibit carrageenan-induced behavioral hyperalgesia and spinal fos expression in rats.

The interaction between electroacupuncture and an N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist, (DL-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid; AP5), or an (+/-)-alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid/kainite (AMPA/KA) receptor antagonist, (6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3 (1H,4H); DNQX) administered intrathecally on carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia and spinal c-Fos expression was investigated. The latency of paw withdrawal (PWL) from a thermal stimulus was used as a measure of hyperalgesia in awake rats. Intrathecal (i.t.) injection of 1 and 10 nmol AP5, but not DNQX, markedly increased the PWL of the carrageenan-injected paw. At a dose of 100 nmol, either AP5 or DNQX significantly increased the PWL of carrageenan-injected paw, with AP5 being more potent. The PWLs of the non-injected and normal saline (NS)-injected paws were not detectably affected by the administration of NMDA or AMPA/KA receptor antagonists at the doses tested. Unilateral electroacupuncture stimulation of the 'Zu-San-Li' (St 36) and 'Kun-Lun' (UB 60) acupuncture points (60 and 2 Hz alternately, 1-2-3 mA) contralateral to the carrageenan-injected paw significantly elevated the PWLs of carrageenan- and NS-injected paws. Although neither i.t. injection of 0.1 nmol AP5 nor 1 nmol DNQX alone had an effect on the PWL of the carrageenan- and NS-injected paws, both significantly potentiated electroacupuncture-induced analgesia in carrageenan-injected rats, especially 0.1 nmol AP5. Fos expression evoked by intraplantar (i.pl.) injection of carrageenan was examined in the spinal cord with immunohistochemical methods. Three hours after i.pl. injection of carrageenan, the number of Fos-like immunoreactive (Fos-LI) neurons was significantly increased in all the layers of the ipsilateral spinal cord at L(4-5), with the highest density in laminae I-II and V-VI. Intrathecally pre-administered AP5 (10 nmol) or DNQX (100 nmol) significantly reduced the total number of carrageenan-induced Fos-LI neurons. The reduction was most apparent in laminae I-II and IV-V. Similarly, following bilateral electroacupuncture stimulation of the 'Zu-San-Li' and 'Kun-Lun' acupuncture points, the numbers of carrageenan-induced Fos-LI neurons in laminae I-II and V-VI were also markedly reduced. When a combination of electroacupuncture with 10 nmol AP5 or 100 nmol DNQX was used, the level of Fos expression in the spinal cord induced by carrageenan was significantly lower than electroacupuncture or i.t. injection of AP5 or DNQX alone. These results demonstrate that electroacupuncture and NMDA or AMPA/KA receptor antagonists have a synergetic anti-nociceptive action against inflammatory pain. Furthermore, this study supports the idea that both NMDA and AMPA/KA receptors are involved in spinal nociceptive transmission in carrageenan-inflamed rats, with the former more preferentially mediating transmission of nociceptive information from cutaneous tissue.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Electroacupuncture may relax the sphincter of Oddi in humans.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture on sphincter of Oddi (SO) motility in humans and to associate the manometric findings with cholecystokinin (CCK) plasma levels. METHODS: Eleven patients (M:F = 5:6) with various kinds of biliary disorders were enrolled. SO motility was monitored with conventional low-compliance, continuous perfusion technique at ERCP (n = 9) or via percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (n = 2). After baseline monitoring for phasic wave contractions of SO, electroacupuncture was applied at a specific acupoint GB 34. A nonspecific acupoint 5 cm away from GB 34 was selected as a control. Manometric parameters of the SO were also measured in 6 subjects during stimulation of the control acupoint. CCK plasma levels were measured during electroacupuncture stimulation. RESULTS: All manometric parameters including basal pressure, amplitude, frequency, and duration of phasic wave contractions of the SO were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) during electroacupuncture stimulation. The inhibition of SO contractility was accompanied by increased CCK plasma levels. After discontinuation of electroacupuncture stimulation, restoration of amplitude and duration to basal conditions was noted. A tendency toward return of SO basal pressure and contractile frequency to baseline was also observed. Stimulation of the control acupoint did not affect SO contractility. CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture stimulation of acupoint GB 34 resulted in reversible inhibition of SO contraction in humans. The response of SO to electroacupuncture stimulation may be mediated by some neurohormonal mechanisms including CCK release.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

A pilot study of functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain during manual and electroacupuncture stimulation of acupuncture point (LI-4 Hegu) in normal subjects reveals differential brain activation between methods.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the brain activation patterns evoked by manual and electroacupuncture on normal human subjects. DESIGN: We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the brain regions involved in electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture needle stimulation. A block design was adopted for the study. Each functional run consists of 5 minutes, starting with 1-minute baseline and two 1-minute stimulation, the interval between the two stimuli was 1 minute. Four functional runs were performed on each subject, two runs for electroacupuncture and two runs for manual acupuncture. The order of the two modalities was randomized among subjects. During the experiment, acupuncture needle manipulation was performed at Large Intestine 4 (LI4, Hegu) on the left hand. For each subject, before scanning started, the needle was inserted perpendicular to the skin surface to a depth of approximately 1.0 cm. Electroacupuncture stimulation was delivered using a continuous rectangular wave form (pulse width 30 ms) at a frequency of 3 Hz. For manual acupuncture, the needle was rotated manually clockwise and counterclockwise at a rate of about 180 times per minute (3 Hz). SUBJECTS: Eleven right-handed, normal, healthy volunteer adults, 6 male and 5 female, ages 21-64 participated in the experiment. RESULTS: Results showed that electroacupuncture mainly produced fMRI signal increases in precentral gyrus, postcentral gyrus/inferior parietal lobule, and putamen/insula; in contrast, manual needle manipulation produced prominent decreases of fMRI signals in posterior cingulate, superior temporal gyrus, putamen/insula. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that different brain networks are involved during manual and electroacupuncture stimulation. It suggests that different brain mechanisms may be recruited during manual and electroacupuncture.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed2006

Short-term electroacupuncture at Zusanli resets the arterial baroreflex neural arc toward lower sympathetic nerve activity.

Although electroacupuncture reduces sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and arterial pressure (AP), the effects of electroacupuncture on the arterial baroreflex remain to be systematically analyzed. We investigated the effects of electroacupuncture of Zusanli on the arterial baroreflex using an equilibrium diagram comprised of neural and peripheral arcs. In anesthetized, vagotomized, and aortic-denervated rabbits, we isolated carotid sinuses and changed intra-carotid sinus pressure (CSP) from 40 to 160 mmHg in increments of 20 mmHg/min while recording cardiac SNA and AP. Electroacupuncture of Zusanli was applied with a pulse duration of 5 ms and a frequency of 1 Hz. An electric current 10 times the minimal threshold current required for visible muscle twitches was used and was determined to be 4.8 +/- 0.3 mA. Electroacupuncture for 8 min decreased SNA and AP (n = 6). It shifted the neural arc (i.e., CSP-SNA relationship) to lower SNA but did not affect the peripheral arc (i.e., SNA-AP relationship) (n = 8). SNA and AP at the closed-loop operating point, determined by the intersection of the neural and peripheral arcs, decreased from 100 +/- 4 to 80 +/- 9 arbitrary units and from 108 +/- 9 to 99 +/- 8 mmHg (each P < 0.005), respectively. Peroneal denervation eliminated the shift of neural arc by electroacupuncture (n = 6). Decreasing the pulse duration to <2.5 ms eliminated the effects of SNA and AP reduction. In conclusion, short-term electroacupuncture resets the neural arc to lower SNA, which moves the operating point toward lower AP and SNA under baroreflex closed-loop conditions.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed2005

Evaluation of electroacupuncture treatment of horses with signs of chronic thoracolumbar pain.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate use of electroacupuncture for treatment of horses with signs of chronic thoracolumbar pain. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 15 horses with signs of chronic thoracolumbar pain. PROCEDURE: Horses were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatment groups. Horses in group 1 received electroacupuncture stimulation (once every 3 days for 5 treatments), those in group 2 received phenylbutazone (2.2 mg/kg [1 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h, for 5 days), and those in group 3 received saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (20 mL, PO, q 12 h, for 5 days). Thoracolumbar pain scores (TPSs) were evaluated before (baseline) and after each treatment. RESULTS: Mean +/- SE TPSs in horses receiving phenylbutazone or saline solution did not change significantly during the study. After the third treatment, mean +/- SE TPS (2.1 +/- 0.6) in horses receiving electroacupuncture stimulation was significantly lower than baseline (6.0 +/- 0.6) TPS. Mean +/- SE TPSs in horses receiving electroacupuncture stimulation were significantly lower than baseline TPSs and TPSs in horses receiving phenylbutazone or saline solution after the third treatment to 14 days after the last treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: TPSs are useful for evaluating the efficacy of various analgesic methods used for treatment of thoracolumbar pain in horses. Electroacupuncture was effective for treatment of chronic thoracolumbar pain in horses. Results provided evidence that 3 sessions of electroacupuncture treatment can successfully alleviate signs of thoracolumbar pain in horses. The analgesic effect induced by electroacupuncture can last at least 2 weeks. Phenylbutazone administered PO did not effectively alleviate signs of thoracolumbar pain in horses in this study.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[The role of endogenous opioid peptides in paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus in the antagonism to myocardial ischemia by electroacupuncture at acupoint "Neiguan" (PC 6)].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6) antagonizing myocardial ischemia injury. METHODS: Forty rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups, model control group, naloxone control group, electroacupuncture plus cerebral spinal fluid group, and electroacupuncture plus naloxone group, 10 rabbits in each group. The effects of electroacupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6) after injection of naloxone into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus on myocardial ultrastructure, II lead ECG and transmembrane potentials of the ischemic myocardial cell in the rabbit of myocardial ischemia were investigated. RESULTS: The injection of naloxone into PVN has no effect on myocardial functions in the normal rabbit and a little effect on ischemic myocardial functions, but at 60 min after myocardial ischemia, this has a certain protective action on myocardial functions (P < 0.05); electroacupuncture at "Neiguan" has obvious protective action on ischemic myocardium, which can be reduced by injection of naloxone into PVN (P < 0.05), but can not be blocked. CONCLUSION: (1) PVN plays an important role in the process of antagonizing myocardial ischemia by electroacupuncture at "Neiguan"; (2) endogenous opioid pepetides in PVN are involved in the acupuncture effect of antagonizing myocardial ischemia; (3) other transmitters in PVN and other nucleus groups in the center also can produce obvious effects in the antagonism to myocardial ischemia by electroacupuncture at "Neiguan".

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed1990

Alterations on the distribution of methionine-enkephalin-like in the cat thalamus after electroacupuncture: an immunocytochemical study.

The distribution of methionine-enkephalin-like structures in the cat thalamus after electroacupuncture was studied using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. We have observed some alterations on the distribution of methionine-enkephalin-like fibres in the thalamus of the cat after electroacupuncture. Thus, in the nuclei habenularis lateralis and lateralis dorsalis, in the tractus mamillo-thalamicus and in the tractus habenulopeduncularis, we have found methionine-enkephalin-like fibres in the animals treated with electroacupuncture, however in such nuclei and tractus no immunoreactivity was observed in the control animals. On the contrary, after electroacupuncture we have not found methionine-enkephalin-like fibres in the thalamic nuclei centrum medianum, parascicularis and subparafascicularis, in which in the animals no pretreated with electroacupuncture, immunoreactive fibres were observed. In other thalamic nuclei such as habenularis medialis, paraventricularis anterior, centralis medialis, medialis dorsalis and in the stria medullaris no alteration on the distribution of immunoreactive fibres was observed in the animals treated with electroacupuncture in comparison with the distribution of such fibres found in the control animals. These observations suggest that the electroacupuncture might induce alterations on the distribution of methionine-enkephalin-like in certain nuclei of the thalamus of the cat.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[Regulative effects of electroacupuncture on gastric hyperfunction induced by electrostimulation of the lateral hypothalamus area of rabbits].

This paper reported our observation of the action of acupuncture on the change of gastric function induced by the excitation of the lateral hypothalamus area (LHA, the feeding center), and research on the mechanism of the acupuncture to inhibiting excessive appetite and reducing hunger in obese people. Electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) or Neiting (ST 44) could inhibit the hyperactivity of the stomach induced by stimulation of LHA (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The electroacupuncture effect on LHA remained statistically significant (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) 0.5-2.5 hours after acupuncturing. The alpha-receptor blocking agent phentolamine (1mg/kg) was not distinctly affected (P > 0.05) on the inhibition of electroacupuncturing Zusanli (ST 36) to restrain the hyperactivity of the stomach induced by stimulation on LHA; But beta-receptor blocking agent propranolol (0.3mg/kg) could obviously inhibit the effect of electroacupuncturing Zusanli (ST 36) to restrain hyperactivity of stomach triggered by excitation of the LHA. The result shows that electroacupuncture obviously inhibits gastric hyperfunction caused by excitation of the LHA, for as long as over 3 hours, thus indicating the participation of the humoral factors. Since the electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) only inhibits gastric hyperfunction caused by excitation of the LHA, it is suggested that the electroacupuncture has an anticholinergic effect through the gastric beta receptor, therefore it inhibits the appetite, relieves hunger and reduces body weight in obese people.

Animals↗