The Effect of Electroacupuncture Stimulation on the Nerve Blood flow in Rats / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

As a preparatory study for treating diabetic neuropathy by acupuncture, we investigated the effect of electroacupuncture on the sciatic blood flow in rats. Nerve blood flow was measured with a laser doppler flowmeter. Different treatments were applied to three groups of rats as follows:<br>1) those stimulated with low-frequency (1Hz, 5Hz) electroacupuncture, <br>2) those stimulated with high-frequency (20Hz, 100Hz) electroacupuncture and<br>3) those stimulated by pinching in the tails.<br>In the electroacupuncture groups, stimulation was applied to the plantae. While little change was observed in the rats stimulated with low-frequency electroacupuncture, temporary increases in both blood flow and blood pressure were observed in the rats stimulated with high-frequency electroacupuncture and in the rats subjected to pinch stimulation.<br>These reactions were all inhibited by the administration of phentolamine (α receptor blocker).<br>These results suggest that the increase in sciatic blood flow induced by high-frequency electroacupuncture and pinch simulation are dependent on the blood pressure.