Acupuncture Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Acupuncture, including details on alternative medicine, uses, benefits, treatment, chinese medicine.

Effects of Electro-Acupuncture Stimulation Applied to Limb and Back on Mesenteric Microvascular Hemodynamics.

Takagi K, Yamaguchi S, Ito M, Ohshima N

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575 Japan. ohshima@md.tsukuba.ac.jp.

The effects of electro-acupuncture stimulation (EAS) of the hindpaw and the back on the mesenteric microhemodynamics in anesthetized rats were investigated using an intravital microscope system. Red blood cell (RBC) velocity in the mesenteric arterioles was measured by the dual-sensor method developed by the authors. Electrical stimulation was applied using two acupuncture needles inserted into the skin and the underlying muscles of the hindpaw and the dorsal Th13-L1 level area. The hindpaw EAS evoked intensity-dependent pressor responses and increase responses in RBC velocity in mesenteric precapillary arterioles, while the back EAS evoked depressor responses and decrease responses in RBC velocity. Heart rate showed increase responses accompanying either EAS on the hindpaw and the back. The pressor responses and increase responses in RBC velocity in mesenteric precapillary arterioles accompanying the hindpaw EAS were abolished by intravenous administration of alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist (phenoxybenzamine; POB), while the tachycardiac responses were abolished by administration of beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist (propranolol). Occasional but notable reflex vasoconstrictions in the mesenteric terminal arteriole were induced by either EAS on the hindpaw and the back. These vasoconstrictive responses were not affected by the administration of POB. The present study directly demonstrated that hemodynamic changes at the level of precapillary arteriole accompanying either EAS on the hindpaw and the back mainly depend on those of systemic arterial pressure regardless of stimulus current intensities. Moreover, the results in the present study suggest some receptors other than alpha-adrenergic receptor might be involved in the mechanism of EAS-induced vasoconstriction in the mesenteric arteriole.

Published 6 September 2005 in Jpn J Physiol.
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