Action of Acupuncture on Ventromedial Neucleus of Hypothalamus in the Rat of Obesity / 中医杂志

ABSTRACT

Effects of acupuncture on spontaneous discharges of nerve cells in ventromedial neucleus of hypothalamus (VNH) and levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in rats of obesity were observed. Results indicated that levels of tyrosine (Tyr) and dopamine f DA) were decreased, and the levels of 5 -hydroxytryptamine (5 - HT) and 5 - hydroxyindole acetic acid (5 - HIAA) increased in VNH; The frequency of spontaneous discharges of nerve cells in VNH lowered significantly in the obesity group as compared with those in the normal group; When acupuncture attained effect of weight reduction, the frequency of spontaneous discharges of nerve cells in the VMH increased obviously; the levels of Tyr, DA, tryptamine , and 5 - HT/5 - HIAA increased, and 5 - HT level decreased in VMH tissue. It is suggested that the benign regulative action of acupuncture on VNH is possibly one of the crucial factors for acupuncture in reducing body weight.