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Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine ›› 2018, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (01): 125-131.

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Effect of acupuncture at three different acupoints on electrical activity of gastric distention-affected neurons in rat medial vestibular nucleus

Liang Chao, Wang Yuan, Xu Bin, Yu Zhi   

  1. Department of Medicine, Affiliated Hospital to Hebei University of Engineering;Key Laboratory of Integrated Acupuncture and Drugs Affiliated to the Ministry of Education of China, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine;Teaching Management, Shandong Drug And Food Vocational College;Key Laboratory of Integrated Acupuncture and Drugs Affiliated to the Ministry of Education of China,Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine;
  • Online:2018-02-15 Published:2018-02-15
  • Supported by:
    Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China,973 Program(Research on the Mechanism of the Two-Way Regulatory Effect of Acupuncture on Gastrointestinal Motility,No.2011CB505206), the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Research on the Role of Pathway of FN-LHA-Autonomic Nerve in the Effect of Compatibility of Acupoint,No.81202744);the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Research on the Effect of Electroacupuncture on the Regulation of Intestinal Motility via the Enteric Nervous System,No.81373749)

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Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of gastric distention(GD) and acupuncture at three different acupoints on the spontaneous discharge of neurons in the medial vestibular nucleus(MVN), and to clarify the specific function of the MVN in the central integration mechanism underlying acupuncture regulation.METHODS: GD was conducted using a balloon inserted in the stomach cavity, and acupuncture was performed separately at each of three acupoints:Zusanli(ST 36), Quchi(LI 11), and Weishu(BL 21).The effect of acupuncture and GD on the spontaneous discharge of MVN neurons was assessed using a glass microelectrode filled with a sodium acetate electrolyte solution containing 1% pontamine sky blue; the discharge signals from the neurons were amplified by the microelectrode amplifier and recorded in the Spike2 system.RESULTS: GD and acupuncture significantly affected the spontaneous discharge of MVN neurons. Furthermore, acupuncture at Zusanli(ST 36) and Weishu(BL 21) was significantly more effective at altering the discharge of GD-responsive MVN neurons compared with GD-nonresponsive neurons.CONCLUSION: GD and acupuncture at three different acupoints affected the electrical activity of MVN neurons. The MVN is involved in the central integration mechanism underlying acupuncture regulation of gastric functions. The effects of acupuncture on gastric function may therefore be mediated via these particular MVN neurons.

Key words: Acupuncture, Vestibular nuclei, Motion sickness, Electrical activity, Spontaneous discharge, Gastric distention

Cite this article

Liang Chao, Wang Yuan, Xu Bin, Yu Zhi. Effect of acupuncture at three different acupoints on electrical activity of gastric distention-affected neurons in rat medial vestibular nucleus[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2018, 38(01): 125-131.