Skin Slice as a Model for the Investigation of the Role of Mast Cells in Acupuncture Effects

Objective： To establish a new and better model to investigate the properties of mast cells that could be involved in acupuncture process mechanisms. Methods： Connective tissue under the corium at the area of acupuncture point Zusanli （ST 36） from rat was acutely bluntly separated with forceps and scissors, and incubated in bath solution up to several hours. Mast cells in slices of that tissue were irradiated with laser light of 650 nm, and changes in the appearance were observed under microscope. In addition, patch-clamp technique in whole-cell configuration was employed to induce mechanosensitive currents by pressure applied through the patch pipette. Results： 1） A high density of mast cells embedded in the extracellular matrix was detected in the tissue slices using toluidine blue staining. The mast cells survived for up to several hours;

Skin Slice as a Model for the Investigation of the Role of Mast Cells in Acupuncture Effects

Obiective:To establish a new and better model to investigate the properties of mast cells that couldbe involved in acupuncture process mechanisms.Methods:Connective tissue under the conum at the area of acupuncture point Zusanli(ST 36)from rat was acutely bluntly separated with forceps and scissors。And incubated in bath solution up to several hours.Mast cells in slices of that tissue were irradiated with laser light of 650 mn,and changes in the appearance were observed under mlcroscope. In addition.patch.clamp technique in whole-cell configuration was employed to induce mechano-sensitive currents by pressure applied through the patch pipette.Results:1)A high density of mast cells embedded in the extracellular matrix was detected in the tissue slices using toluidine blue staining.The mast cells survived for up to several hours;2)Laser irradiation for 10 min(40 mW) resulted in fusion of intracellular vesicles with the plasma membrane of the mast-cell surface;3)Whole.cell currents increased when pressure gradients of-30 cm,-60 cm or-90 cm H20 were applied,the response was attenuated in the presence of 1 0 u M Ruthenium Red(a common blocker of channels 0f the vallinoid.sensitive transient receptor potential family TRPV).Conclusion:The skin tissue slice of rat Zusanli(ST 36)may be used as a model to investigate the role of mast cells in acupuncture.t he results obtained in this model support the suggestion that skin mast cells play a role In laser as well as mechanical acupuncture and TRPV channels may be involved in acupuncture effects.