Paired mechanical and electrical acupuncture of neurogenic spots induces opioid-mediated suppression of hypertension in rats

The journal of physiological sciences

article

Joo Hyun Shin¹  Yu Fan¹  Do-Hee Kim¹  Han Byeol Jang¹  Suchan Chang¹  Yeonhee Ryu²  Jong Han Bae³  Sanghag Lee⁴  Bong Hyo Lee¹  Scott C. Steffensen⁵  Chae Ha Yang¹  Hee Young Kim¹ 

[1] Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University;Clinical Medicine Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine;Department of Physics, Yeungnam University;TriBell Lab, Yeungnam University;Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Brigham Young University

关键词: Hypertension;    Opioid system;    Mechanical stimulation;    Neurogenic spots;    vlPGA;    rVLM;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12576-020-00735-4

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

While our recent studies have suggested that effective acupoints display neurogenic inflammation and can be identified as neurogenic spots (Neuro-Sps), the optimal stimulation conditions and the underlying mechanisms remain uncharacterized. We developed a combined mechano-electrical acupuncture device (MEA) and examined the effects of acupuncture at Neuro-Sps on systolic blood pressure (BP) in a rat model of immobilization-induced hypertension (IMH) and the mediation of endogenous opioid systems in its effect. Cutaneous neurogenic spots were found mostly in the forelimb. Electrical and mechanical acupuncture of Neuro-Sps increased 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), c-Fos expression and cell excitability in the midbrain and synergistically alleviated the development of hypertension following immobilization stress, which was prevented by administration of the opioid antagonist naloxone into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM). These findings suggest that mechanical and electrical stimulation at Neuro-Sps suppresses the development of hypertension via mediation of the endogenous opioid system.

【 授权许可】

Unknown