Dynamic change in energy metabolism by electroacupuncture stimulation in rats

The electrical stimulation of meridian points in rats inhibits the withdrawal reflex of the nociceptive tail. Its pain mechanisms are well-documented. Moreover, electroacupuncture (EA) at special abdominal acupoints has been shown to induce a short-term hypoglycemia effect in streptozotocin diabetic rats. The Zusanli and Zhongwan acupoints have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve symptoms of diabetes mellitus. It is still unclear whether they can affect extracellular glucose and lactate metabolites at the cellular level. The aim of this study is to evaluate these effects using a rat model for the analysis of extracellular neurochemicals. First, electrical stimulus of 2 ms 2 Hz square pulses (30 minutes) was applied to anesthetized intact rats (n = 7) at the Zusanli points. One and a half hours later, a second electrical stimulus (2 Hz pulses, 30 minutes) was delivered to two of the rats at the same spot. Another two rats received a different stimulation (100 Hz pulses, 30 minutes) at the same location. In the final three rats, a second electrical stimulus of 2 Hz pulses was delivered to non-acupoints. An automated micro-blood sample collector was used to examine the glucose, pyruvate and lactate concentrations. The EA signal has an influence on the biologic process of energy metabolism by mediating dynamic extracellular neurochemical changes. The EA at limb acupoints of the lower limbs induces a decrease in glucose, an increase in lactate metabolites and a decrease in the lactate/glucose ratio. Moreover, the increased lactate/glucose ratio suggests that the cell has an increased anaerobic glucose metabolism.     

The antinociceptive effect of acupressure in rats

Acupuncture and acupressure points correlate well with sites on the body that have low transcutaneous electrical resistance (TER). Using lightly sedated, adult Sprague-Dawley rats, we identified an acupoint (i.e. site with low TER) located on the hind limb of the rat and compared the effects of acupressure at this site on the nociceptive threshold to an adjacent, non-acupoint site (i.e. site with high TER). Focal pressure (55.42 +/- 2.2 g) was applied to the site for 10 minutes and the tail flick response (TFR) was determined by draping the distal portion of the tail over a heated wire (75 +/- 5 degrees C). Three trials were performed during each of three randomized conditions (i.e. acupoint, placebo and control) and the trials were averaged. All rats tested (5/5) showed a statistically significant increase in TFR following 10 minutes of acupressure at the acupoint compared to placebo or control trials (p = 0.007). Acupressure at the placebo point resulted in a TFR that was not statistically different from the control. Systemic administration of naloxone completely abolished the tail-flick inhibition induced by acupressure at the acupoint. These data suggest that acupressure elicits an antinociceptive effect in rats that is mediated by the endogenous release of opioids.     

电针治疗精神药物所致肥胖症疗效观察

目的:寻找治疗精神药物所致肥胖症的有效疗法.方法:对101例正在服用抗精神病药物期间出现肥胖症患者,随机分为观察组(51例)与对照组(50例).观察组每日电针治疗1次,穴取曲池、足三里、丰隆、上巨虚、下巨虚,4周为一疗程,连续治疗2个疗程;对照组不针刺.采用简明精神病量表(BPRS)评定疗效,副反应量表(TESS)评定不良反应.结果:观察组临床有效率54.9%,优于对照组的10.0%(P＜0.05),BPRS减分率分别为24.92%、28.62%,两组均无不良反应.结论:电针治疗精神药物所致肥胖症疗效好,能提高患者对精神药物的依从性,无副作用.     

Effects of intraperitoneal injection of naloxone on the analgesic effect and the changes of brain catecholamine contents induced by electroacupuncture in rats

Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Control, Electro-acupuncture (EA), Naloxone and Naloxone plus EA. The content of noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA) in brain stem, diencephalon and telencephalon were determined by spectrofluorometry. It was found that the pain threshold increased and the NA content in the telencephalon decreased and the DA level in the brain stem increased markedly after EA. Naloxone injection partially decreased the analgesic effect of EA and abolished the EA-induced elevation of DA in the brain stem and attenuated the NA level in the diencephalon after EA. These results suggest that morphine receptor may play an important role in EA analgesia and this may be partially carried out through the brain catecholamine system.     

电针对大鼠肠缺血再灌注后炎性损伤的影响

目的:观察电针足三里穴对大鼠肠缺血再灌注炎性损伤的保护作用。方法:48只Wis-tar大鼠随机分为假伤组、模型组、电针组和假针组,每组12只,后3组以阻断肠系膜上动脉45min后再灌注的方法建立肠缺血再灌注大鼠模型。电针组于再灌注前30min施电针(2.5mA,2Hz/100Hz,0.5h)足三里穴治疗,假针组于相同时间内轻轻点刺体表双非经穴点(腹白线旁2cm,约平剑突下5cm水平),假伤组和模型组不予干预治疗。各组于再灌注1h、3h观察肠组织病理损伤程度,检测肠组织含水率、肠组织二胺氧化酶(DAO)活性及肠黏膜血流量(IMBF)的变化。结果:再灌注1h、3h,电针组肠组织病理损伤程度比模型组均明显减轻,肠组织含水率[(74.00±2.11)%、(78.78±0.80)%]比模型组[(80.69±1.66)%、(83.17±2.08)%]显著降低(均P<0.01);肠组织DAO活性[(68.83±4.31)U/L、(47.84±5.57)U/L]和IMBF[(152±5.8)PU、(139.8±6.1)PU]与模型组[(32.86±4.72)U/L、(17.01±2.96)U/L]、[(124.7±8.3)PU、(89.4±13.2)PU]相比均明显升高(均P<0.01);假针组肠组织病理、含水率、DAO活性及IM-BF则均与模型组无显著差异(均P>0.05)。结论:电针不仅能减轻大鼠肠缺血再灌注炎性损伤,还能增加肠组织供血,并能保护由此受损的肠功能。     

Comparison between transcutaneous nerve stimulation analgesic effect and electroacupuncture analgesic effect in rabbits

To compare Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation Analgesia (TNSA) with Electroacupuncture Analgesia (AA), we observed their effect and mechanism parallelly. The results are as follows: 1. Both TNSA and AA can produce significant current-dependent analgesia. The latency of AA is shorter than that of TNSA. 2. Under the present condition (lower-frequency, lower-intensity) naloxone can antagonize partly AA but not TNSA. 3. TNSA effect could be blocked partly by deep or intradermal injection of procaine into points. However, AA effect could be almost blocked completely by deep injection and not by intradermal injection of procaine.     

电针对谷氨酸钠诱导的肥胖大鼠脂代谢的影响

目的:探讨电针治疗肥胖的机理.方法:大鼠皮下注射15%谷氨酸钠溶液,制成肥胖模型,随机分成空白对照组、模型组、电针组、西布曲明组;实验结束后分别测定各组大鼠血胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)含量,脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)活性及血清瘦素(leptin)和胰岛素(insulin)水平.结果:电针组大鼠体重和Lee's指数较模型组均明显下降(P＜0.01),电针组大鼠TG、TC和LDL-C含量均低于模型组(P＜0.01),并且电针组优于西布曲明组(P＜0.05);电针组和西布曲明组HDL-C的含量都高于模型组(P＜0.01),但两组间没有明显差异;电针组LPL活性较模型组明显升高(P＜0.01).电针组和西布曲明组血清瘦素、胰岛素水平均低于模型组(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),电针与西布曲明对胰岛素的影响差异没有显著意义,而对瘦素的影响电针组降低的程度比西布曲明组高(P＜0.01).结论;电针刺激能够改善肥胖大鼠的高血脂状态,提高脂蛋白脂酶活性;同时调节血清高瘦素和高胰岛素水平.     

Retrosplenial cortex is involved in analgesia induced by 2- but not 100-Hz electroacupuncture in the rat tail-flick test

This study examined whether or not the antinociceptive effect of 2- or 100-Hz electroacupuncture (EA) depends on the integrity of the retrosplenial cortex (RSC). Rats were taken for determination of tail-flick latency before and after injection of saline or 2% lidocaine (0.25 μl) into the retrosplenial cortex (RSC) bilaterally. Five minutes later, they were submitted to a 20-minute period of 2 Hz, 100 Hz, or sham EA at the Zusanli and Sanyinjiao acupoints bilaterally, and tail-flick latency was measured within 30 seconds after the end of stimulation and at 5-minute intervals for up to 30 minutes. EA at a frequency of either 2 or 100 Hz induced a strong and long-lasting inhibition of the tail-flick reflex in rats treated with saline (0.25 μl) injected into the RSC. The analgesia produced by 2-Hz EA lasted for a shorter time in lidocaine-treated rats. By contrast, RSC impairment did not change the analgesic effect of 100 Hz EA. The integrity of the RSC is implicated in the duration of analgesia induced by low-frequency EA but is not essential for the analgesic effects evoked by high-frequency EA.     

Effect of electroacupuncture on expression of NR2B in prefrontal cortex in morphine-withdrawal rats

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on learning and memory abilities and expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit (NR2B) in prefrontal cortex in morphine-withdrawal rats and to investigate the molecular biological mechanisms.MethodsThirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely control group (group A), model group (group B), model with acupuncture group (group C) and model with electroacupunture group (group D), with 9 in each group. All rats except those in group A were subcutaneously injected with morphine hydrochloride injectio on the back with daily dosage increased day by day. Naloxone was given 3 h after the last injection to establish the models of morphine-withdrawal rats. After the models were established, the rats were treated with acupuncture and electroacupuncture respectively at bilateral “Shènshū”(

BL 23) and “Zúsānli”(

ST 36) for 15 min per time, once daily for 6 days. Space learning and memory abilities of the rats were measured by Morris water maze, and protein and gene expression levels of NR2B in prefrontal cortex were measured by Western Blot and RT-PCR.ResultsIn place navigation test, the escape latency in group B, group C and group D was significantly prolonged compared with that of group A (P<0.01), the escape latency in group C and group D was significantly shortened compared with that of group B (P<0.01) and the escape latency in group D was significantly shortened compared with that of group C (P<0.05); during spatial probe test, the number of times crossing the platform of group B, group C and group D decreased compared with that of group A (P<0.01), and compared with group B, the number of times crossing the platform of group C increased and the number of group D significantly increased (P<0.01). Decreased protein expression level of NR2B was found in group B when compared with that of group A (P<0.01), increased protein expression levels of NR2B were found in group C and group D when compared with that of group B (P<0.01), however, the expression level in group D was higher than that in group C (P<0.01). mRNA expression level of NR2B in prefrontal cortex in morphine-withdrawal rats decreased (P<0.05), however, compared with that of group B, the expression level increased in group D (P<0.05), and there was no statistical significance in increased expression level in group C (P<0.05).ConclusionAcupuncture and eletroacupunture can improve space learning and memory abilities of merphine-withdrawal rats, with better efficacy of eletroacupuncture than that of acupuncture, the mechanisms of which may be associated with the regulation of NR2B expression in prefrontal cortex.     

Inhibitory effect of electroacupuncture on cAMP induced ECOG epileptiform waves

In conscious rabbits, injection of cAMP (100 micrograms in 100 microliters, icv) elicited high-amplitude and high-frequency epileptiform seizure pattern of ECoG. The epileptic waves were inhibited by electro-acupuncturing bilateral "Zusanli" Points. During and after the cessation of electro-acupuncture the frequency, amplitude and duration of epileptiform discharges decreased significantly, the seizure waves even disappeared completely. The frequency and amplitude of epileptic waves showed significant difference in comparison with those of the non-electroacupuncture group (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.01 respectively), the duration of epileptic waves shortened by 58.18-66.88%. The results suggested that electroacupuncture has antiepileptic action on c-AMP induced experimental epileptic seizure.     

电针对孕期饮食限制诱发宫内生长受限大鼠肺发育不良的影响

目的:探讨电针母鼠"足三里"穴对孕期饮食限制诱发宫内生长受限(IUGR)子代大鼠肺发育不良的保护效应.方法:将24只雌性SD大鼠随机分为对照组、对照电针组、模型组和模型电针组,每组6只.模型组和模型电针组大鼠从妊娠第10天至分娩期间,给予母鼠50％的饮食限制制备IUGR动物模型.对照电针组和模型电针组妊娠第10天至分娩...     

不同时间电针头穴预处理对MCAO大鼠脑皮质MicroRNA-210表达的影响

目的:观察不同时间电针头穴预处理对大脑中动脉梗塞(middle cerebral artery occulation,MCAO)大鼠神经功能和MicroRNA-210表达影响。方法:SD大鼠按随机数字表法分为正常对照组、模型组、安慰针刺组、电针预处理5 d组、电针预处理10 d组、电针预处理15 d组,每组各10只,不同时间电针头穴预处理后制备MCAO模型;参照Longa标准评估神经功能,免疫荧光法检测微血管内皮细胞增殖数目,实时荧光定量PCR检测MicroRNA-210表达。结果:电针预处理15 d组神经损伤最轻,各组微血管内皮细胞增殖数目不同,电针预处理15 d组增殖最多,电针预处理能抑制MicroRNA-210表达,这一效应在电针预处理10 d明显。结论:不同时间电针头穴预处理能减轻脑缺血神经损伤,这与调节MicroRNA-210表达以干预血管皮细胞增殖、促进局部血液循环有关。     

电针“天枢”调节大鼠空肠运动及与穴位敏化状态的关系

目的:观察电针敏化与非敏化"天枢"对大鼠空肠运动抑制效应的影响差异。方法:SD大鼠随机分为空白组、对照组、敏化组,每组16只,每组6只用于痛行为检测,每组10只用于肠运动记录。敏化组大鼠给予"天枢"局部注射15%芥子油溶液(20μL)模拟穴位敏化,对照组注射石蜡油。以大鼠舔舐"天枢"的次数及时间为指标,观察"天枢"敏化时痛行为改变;HE染色观察芥子油引起"天枢"敏化的炎性改变;采用空肠内水囊置入法记录大鼠空肠运动收缩压力波,以波幅比值及频率比值为检测指标,观察"天枢"不同敏化状态对空肠自发运动及电针"天枢"抑制空肠运动效应的影响。结果:(1)与空白组及对照组比较,"天枢"注射芥子油引起局部组织充血水肿,且有大量中性粒细胞浸润,同时引起敏化组大鼠舔舐"天枢"的次数与时间显著增加(P<0.01);(2)与基线及石蜡油比较,芥子油敏化"天枢"能够显著降低大鼠空肠运动的收缩压力波幅及频率比值(P<0.001,P<0.01);与空白组及对照组比较,芥子油敏化"天枢"能够显著降低电针"天枢"产生抑制空肠运动所需的电流强度(P<0.05,P<0.01),能增加1.5 mA电针刺激"天枢"对空肠运动波幅的抑制效应(P<0.05),且量效关系分析三组50%抑制率对应的电针强度分别为:空白组为2.57 mA,对照组为2.42 mA,敏化组为1.25 mA。结论:"天枢"模拟敏化后,能够直接参与机体对空肠运动的调节,同时增强对电针刺激的响应性,放大电针"天枢"对空肠运动的抑制效应。     

经穴穴区不同组织结构与经穴刺激效应量差异的关系:经穴相对特异性的实验研究

目的:从经穴效应量的差异探索不同部位、不同组织结构与经穴特异性的关系。方法:成年SD大鼠,选择不同经脉、不同部位组织结构相似的经穴("大陵"与"解溪""郄门"与"后三里""曲泽"与"犊鼻")及腹部非穴,电针刺激右侧单穴以及"郄门"和"后三里"的单一组织(皮肤、肌肉、骨膜,3个系列试验,每组12例),观察其对心得安所致心动过缓大鼠心率、平均动脉压(MAP)回升率的调节效应。结果:①模型组给心得安后,心率和MAP一直保持低水平。"郄门""曲泽""后三里""解溪"组的心率、MAP回升率分别是非穴组的7、8、6、6倍和4、4、3、3倍,差异有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01);而"大陵""犊鼻"组与非穴组的心率、MAP回升率接近(P0.05)。②同一经脉不同部位经穴的效应量呈现循经脉循行方向增强的趋势,即:"曲泽""郄门""大陵","解溪"与"后三里""犊鼻"。③"郄门"与"后三里"同一穴位常规电针与不同组织电针效应量存在差异,基本表现为皮肤肌肉≈常规电针骨膜。④不同穴位相同组织效应量的差异部分有统计学意义。表现为电针"郄门"与"后三里"二穴皮肤,其在调节心率方面"郄门"优于"后三里"(P0.01),电针二穴肌肉在调节MAP方面"郄门"优于"后三里"(P0.01),电针二穴骨膜的效应量相当。⑤组织结构相似穴位的效应量差异具有统计学意义,"大陵"与"犊鼻"效应相似,"曲泽"与"解溪"效应相似,"后三里"和"郄门"效应相似,而"解溪"在心率效应量方面比"大陵"高出4倍、在MAP回升率方面高出3倍,"曲泽"在心率效应量方面是"犊鼻"的6倍、在MAP回升率方面是"犊鼻"的2.7倍。结论:不同经脉组织结构相似经穴的效应量存在特异性,同一组织在不同部位其效应量亦有特异性;当机体组织成为调节机体功能的途径时,必须重新认识不同部位组织功能的差异;不同部位组织与机体联系途径的差异及功能特化可能是构成其对刺激特异性反应的物质基础。     

电针对大鼠吗啡条件性位置偏爱及腹内侧前额叶皮层谷氨酸能神经元激活的影响

目的:观察电针"足三里""三阴交"对吗啡成瘾大鼠条件性位置偏爱(CPP)及腹内侧前额叶皮层谷氨酸能神经元激活的影响,探讨针刺戒毒的中枢机制。方法:SD大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、电针组,每组10只。大鼠进行吗啡CPP训练和测试(在偏爱箱给予大鼠腹腔注射吗啡10 mg/kg,连续3 d,非偏爱箱注射0.9%氯化钠溶液)。每日CPP训练前30 min以2 Hz/100 Hz电针大鼠"足三里""三阴交"20 min。实验第4天进行CPP测试。用Fos/谷氨酸囊泡转运体2(VGLUT2)荧光双标免疫组织化学法测定各组大鼠腹内侧前额叶皮层谷氨酸能神经元的表达,用多通道微阵列电生理系统测定腹内侧前额叶皮层放电频率和神经元激活情况。结果:与对照组比较,模型组大鼠吗啡CPP得分显著提高(P<0.01);腹内侧前额叶皮层Fos阳性细胞数、VGLUT2阳性细胞数及Fos/VGLUT2双标记阳性细胞增多(P<0.01,P<0.05)。与模型组比较,电针组大鼠吗啡CPP得分显著降低(P<0.01);腹内侧前额叶皮层Fos阳性细胞数、VGLUT2阳性细胞数及Fos/VGLUT2双标记阳性细胞减少(P<0.01,P<0.05);大鼠在偏爱箱/非偏爱箱的放电频率比值和激活神经元数量降低(P<0.001)。结论:电针抑制吗啡CPP行为可能与抑制腹内侧前额叶皮层谷氨酸能神经元的激活有关。     

扶阳罐温通法联合电针治疗肩周炎的临床研究

目的:客观评价扶阳罐温通法联合电针治疗肩周炎的临床疗效。方法:90例肩周炎患者按随机数字表法分为扶阳罐温通联合电针组、电针组、扶阳罐温通组,每组30例。扶阳罐温通联合电针组予电针疗法及扶阳罐温通疗法;电针组电针患侧肩髃、肩髎、肩贞、臂臑、天宗、阿是穴、条口、承山;扶阳罐温通组予患侧扶阳罐温通法治疗;均每周治疗3次,2周为1疗程,连续治疗2个疗程。统计治疗前后视觉模拟量尺(VAS)、肩功能Constant-Murley评定量表、美国肩与肘协会评分系统(ASES)评分,并进行临床疗效评价。结果:治疗后,扶阳罐温通联合电针组、电针组、扶阳罐温通组肩周炎患者疼痛均较治疗前减轻,VAS评分显著下降(P<0. 01),Constant-Murley评分和ASES肩关节功能评分显著升高(P<0. 01);治疗后扶阳罐温通联合电针组VAS评分显著低于其他两组(P<0. 01),Constant-Murley评分及ASES肩关节功能评分显著高于其他两组(P<0. 01)。扶阳罐温通联合电针组治疗愈显率为76. 67%(23/30),显著高于电针组的34. 48%(10/29)和扶阳罐温通组的53. 33%(16/30,P<0. 01)。结论:扶阳罐温通联合电针治疗肩周炎疗效显著,止痛效果优于单纯电针和单纯扶阳罐温通法。