ABSTRACT
Effects of acupuncture stimulation and painful stimulation on the bone marrow circulation were studied by observing the bone marrow pressure in the femur.<br>Experiments were carried out on 5 adult rabbits anesthetized with urethane. Painful stimulation was given by the pinch method with a forceps.<br>The results obtained were as follows:<br>1. Immediately after the acupuncture needle was thrusted deep in the inguinal region, the bone marrow pressure of the femur of the same side showed remarkable reduction and after a few minutes, gradual rise was observed.<br>2. Three patterns of the rise of the bone marrow pressure were observed. First, the pressure increased monophasically and recovered to the control level. Second, the pressure rised by 7-9mmHg higher than the control value and recovered to the control level after keeping this high pressure for a few minutes. Third, after the initial fall, the pressure was regained but did not reach the control level and stayed at the lower level.<br>3. The stimulation to the nutrient artery with the acupuncture or the pinching caused change in the bone marrow pressure in the similar manner as the case of the acupuncture to the deep part of the inguinal region, but the stimulation on the opposite side did not cause a marked change in the pressure.<br>4. The painful stimulation on the inguinal region with pinching the skin reduced the pressure, but the magunitude of the reduction was smaller than those of the acupuncture stimulations given from surface to the deep part or the stimulation to the nutrient artery.<br>5. Stimulations on the lateral and anterior region of femur or on the opposite side produced only a slight reduction of the pressure.