[Effects of electroacupuncture stimulation of "Zusanli" (ST 36) on the regional vascular intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 mRNA expression and mast cell activity in normal rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of "Zusanli" (ST 36) on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mRNA expression and mast cell (MC) distribution in the stimulated subcutaneous tissues in nor- mal rats, so as to study the correlation between ICAM-1 mRNA expression and MC activity during EA. METHODS: Twenty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to normal group and EA group. EA(2 Hz/15 Hz, 0. 1 mA) stimulation was applied to the bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 25 min. The expression of OICAM-1 mRNA in subcutaneous tissues of the left "Zusanli" (ST 36) area was detected by in situ hybridization, and MC activity of the same tissues was observed under microscope after staining with acetylcho- line esterase (AChE) and toluidine blue (TB, counterstaining), respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the ICAM-1 mRNA expressed at a markedly higher level in the subcutaneous tissues of the "Zusanli" (ST 36) region in the EA group (P<0. 01), and MC counts were also significantly increased in the EA group (P<0. 01). CONCLUSION: EA stimulation up-regulates the expression of ICAM-1 mRNA and enhances MC release from the stimulated regional subcutaneous tissue in healthy rats, suggesting ICAM-1 played an important role in affecting the movement and recruitment of MCs towards acupoint during EA.

[Effect of acupoint-injection of stem cell factor antibody on electroacupuncture induced changes of count and degranulation of subcutaneous mast cells in the local region in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the alternations of local mast cells (MCs) in the number and functional activities after electroacupuncture (EA) and injection of stem cell factor (SOF) antibody into "Weishu" (BL 21) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) in rats. METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to normal, EA, and EA + SCF antibody injection (EA-ABI) groups (n=10). EA was applied to the left "Weishu"(BL 21) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 25 min. For rats of EA+ ABI group, SOF-AB (1:200, 0.1 mL) was respectively injected into BL 21 and ST 36, following by EA. The tissues around the two acupoints areas were sampled to be stained with acetylcholine esterase (AchE) and toluidine blue (TB), respectively. The counts and degranulation ratio of MOs in the acupoint region were recorded and observed under microscope. RESULTS: In comparison with the normal group, MCs count was increased significantly in the EA of "Weishu" (BL 21) group (P < 0.05), mildly in the EA of "Zusanli" (ST 36) group (P > 0.05), and downregulated considerably in both EA-ABI-BL 21 and EA-ABI-ST 36 groups (P < 0.05) . Compared with the normal group, the degranulation ratio of MCs was increased significantly in EA-BL 21, EA-ST 36, EA-ABI-BL 21 and EA-ABI-ST 36 groups (P < 0.5). No significant differences were found between EA-BL 21 and EA-ABI-BL 21 groups, and between EA-ST 36 and EA-ABI-ST 36 groups in the degranulation ratios (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Local injection of SCF antibody in BL 21 and ST 36 can significantly suppress EA-induced increase of the number and degranulation ratio of local subcutaneous MCs in rats, suggesting that SCF is an important factor affecting the activity and recruitment of MCs around the acupoint during EA.

[Observation on the leptin level in the subcutaneous tissues of the high temperature reaction zone along the abdominal gallbladder Meridian in rabbits with cholecystitis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the content of leptin in the abdominal subcutaneous tissues of the higher temperature zone along the Gallbladder (GB) Meridian in cholecystitis rabbits so as to explore the correlation between the temperature response and the leptin level. METHODS: Twenty-five rabbits were randomized into normal control group (n = 10) and cholecystitis model group (n = 15). Cholecystitis model was established by injection of Escherichia coli solution (0.1 mL) into the gallbladder via common bile duct after surgery. Three, 7 and 11 days following modeling, the abdominal surface thermographic images along the GB Meridian were collected by the AGA-782-type infrared imaging system (AGA's capacity). And then the subcutaneous tissues of the high temperature reaction region and the contralateral corresponding tissues of different groups were collected for assaying the leptin contents in the supernatant by radioimmunoassay after processing (homogenization and centrifugation) and for observing the morphological structure under light microscopy after sectioning and staining (toluidine blue). RESULTS: Thermographic images showed that about 70% of the animals in the model group, various lengths of high temperature reaction (0.5-1.4 degrees C) zones or bands in the abdominal region along the bilateral GB Meridian were seen, in comparison with the control group. The leptin levels in the ipsilateral (affected side) and contralateral (healthy side) tissues of the abdominal high temperature reaction zones along the GB Meridian were significantly higher in the model group than in the control group (P < 0.01), suggesting a close correlation between the leptin content change and the high temperature reaction. In addition, most fat cells were crowded to distribute closely along the blood vessels in the subcutaneous tissues of the higher temperature reaction zone in the model group, but those of the control group distribute more loosely along the blood vessels. CONCLUSION: The leptin content in the abdominal sub- cutaneous tissues of high temperature reaction zone along the GB Meridian is higher in cholecystitis rabbits, suggests a relevance of the endocrine function of fat cells to the high temperature reaction along the GB Meridian.

[Protecting action of acupuncture serum on calcium over-loaded neurons of the hippocampus in rats of ischemia-reperfusion].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of acupuncture serum on Ca2+ content in the cultured nervous cells of hippocampus after ischemia-reperfusion, so as to probe into humoral factors in acupuncture treatment. METHODS: The neurons of the hippocampus from the new born rats were cultured for 9-11 days. Fluorescein-molecular probe Fluo-3 AM was used for staining of intracellular Ca2+. Fluorescent levels in the nervous cells cultured with the serum of the normal rats or the rats given electroacupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) for 2 weeks were determined by using a laser confocal microscope. RESULTS: After the normal serum was added, the intracellular Ca2+ fluorescent levels increased to 697 +/- 113 from 461 +/- 96, while after acupuncture serum was added, the Ca2+ fluorescent levels decreased to 584 +/- 103 from 673 +/- 108, indicating that after addition of acupuncture serum, the increased intracellular Ca2+ content could be decreased. CONCLUSION: There are some active substances in acupuncture serum which can obviously decrease intracellular Ca2+ content after ischemia-reperfusion, so as to provide a direct evidence for role of humoral factor in acupuncture treatment.

Effects of electroacupuncture on cardiac and gastric activities in acute myocardial ischemia rats.

AIM: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Neiguan" (PC6) and "Gongsun" (SP4) on pathological changes of the heart and stomach in rats with acute myocardial ischemia (AMI), and to explore its underlying mechanism. METHODS: Fifty Wistar rats were randomized into control, model, PC6, SP4 and PC6 + SP4 groups (n = 8 each group). An AMI model was established by occlusion of the descending anterior branch (DAB) of the left coronary artery. ECG-ST of cervico-thoracic lead and electrogastrogram (EGG) were recorded. EA was applied to PC6, SP4 and PC6 + SP4 groups, respectively. At the end of experiments, the rats were transcardically perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde, and the heart base myocardium, gastric antrum and duodenum tissues were sampled, sectioned and stained with a reduced form of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-diaphorase histochemical method for displaying nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. RESULTS: After AMI, ECG-ST values elevated. After EA, the elevated ECG-ST values at 20 min in PC6 group, at 30 min in PC6 + SP4 and SP4 groups had no significant differences in comparison with their respective basal values before AMI. Following AMI, the amplitude and frequency of slow waves of EGG decreased remarkably (P < 0.05). At 30 min after EA, the mean amplitude and frequency of slow waves of EGG in the three EA groups had no marked differences compared with their individual basal levels and those in the control group. After AMI, the mean integral grey values of NOS-positive product in myocardium, gastric antrum and duodenum tissues in the model group increased remarkably in comparison with the control group, while those in three EA groups were lower than those in the model group. No significant differences were found in ECG-ST and EGG improvement among the three EA groups. However, EA of PC6 had a better effect on ECG-ST and EA of PC4 had a better effect on EGG, respectively. CONCLUSION: EA of PC6, SP4 and PC6 + SP4 can significantly promote the recovery of cardiac and gastric electrical activities after AMI, and up-regulate NOS expression in myocardium, gastric antrum and duodenum tissues.

[Correlation between the therapeutic efficacy of electroacupuncture of ear-body acupoints and mast cells in experimental gastric ulcer rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the interrelation between the therapeutic efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) and mast cells (MC) in experimental gastric ulcer rats. METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group and EA group, with 10 cases in each. Experimental gastric ulcer model was established by injecting 20% glacial acetic acid (0.05 ml) into the tissue between the muscular layer and the placenta percreta of the gastric anterior wall in the gastric antrum under anesthesia. EA (2/15 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to bilateral "Wei" (Stomach, an otopoint) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) for 30 min, once daily for 7 days. The tissues of these two acupoints were sampled to be stained with acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and toluidine blue (TB) respectively (counterstaining) after section (15 microm). The gastric ulcer tissue was stained with H&E method RESULTS: Compared with control group, the number and degranulation ratios of MC in the dermis of "Wei"-point and ST36 region in model group and EA group increased significantly (P<0.01); while in comparison with model group, both the number and the degranulation ratio of MC in EA group decreased considerably (P<0.01). H&E stained tissues showed smooth gastric mucosal membrane in control group, ulcerative injury involving the muscular layer in model group, and mild injury in EA group. CONCLUSION: EA can suppress the degranulation of MC in "Wei"-point and ST36 regions and effectively relieve ulcerative injury in gastric ulcer rats. There exists a certain degree of interrelation among the degranulation ratio of MC, gastric ulcerative injury, and the therapeutic efficacy.

[Influence of Qingpeng plaster on blood vessels and mast cells in skin tissue of channel points of nude mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in the numbers of blood vessels and mast cells, which is relative to blood microcirculation in skin, during Qingpeng plaster (ZANG medicine) being applied to the skin surface of nude mice. METHOD: Fifteen healthy adult nude mice were divided into Qingpeng plaster group and the control group. The sites of skin tissues stuck with the plaster or with control plaster were selected after 7 days treated, and then all the slices stained and observed. RESULT: The numbers of the vessels and the mast cells increased in the dermal tissue of Qingpeng paster group. Although there were a few dilated blood vessels in the control group, but the numbers of the vessels and the mast cells were obviously less than those of the Qingpeng plaster group. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference (P < 0.001) between tow groups. CONCLUSION: Qingpeng plaster can cause obvious vascular dilatation and promot mast cells aggregation in the Qingpeng plaster stuck parts of the skin tissue.

A discovery of low hydraulic resistance channel along meridians.

A hydro-mechanic model was put forward to study the fundamental nature of acupuncture meridians. The basic state of low hydraulic resistance was tested on humans and mini pigs using three methods. The first, a modified Guyton's method, proved that there was lower hydraulic resistance on meridians compared with nonmeridians. The second scanning method involved a single pressure transducer that can find the lowest resistance point in tissue, and the third method used two transducers and provided a more stable measurement. Using the latter method, low hydraulic resistance points were found very close to low impedance points along meridians. The transmission of artificial interstitial fluid pressure waves was measured to examine their connection to the low resistance points, with the result that a good connection between the points was confirmed. This means the points form channels along the meridians that we refer to as low hydraulic resistance channels. The channel was imaged through isotopic tracing and a migration of isotope (99m)Te could be found along the channel. The layer of the channel was detected by injecting Alcian blue and the track was found beneath the skin. All of the above experiments suggest the existence of a new type of channel in living tissues that has not yet been described in modern science, but coincides quite well with the Qi channel theory of traditional Chinese medicine.

[Effect of electroacupuncture and moxibustion of "Dazhui" (GV14) on the number and distribution of degranulated mast cells in GV14 region].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion on the degranulated mast cell number and distribution in "Dazhui" (GV14) region of rats. METHODS: Fifteen Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control, EA and moxibustion groups, with 5 cases in each group. "Dazhui" (GV14) was stimulated by EA (3/10 Hz, 2-4 V, 20 mm) or moxibustion (2 cones, 20 mm), thereafter, the tissues of GV14 region were sampled, quickly frozen, sectioned (20 microm) and stained with toluidine blue separately for observing the degranulated state of mast cells under microscope. RESULTS: The mast cells (MCs) distributed widely in GV14 region from the dermis, subcutaneous tissue to muscle layer. Compared with control group, MCs of moxibustion group were significantly fewer in the number (P<0.05), and those degranulated MCs in both EA and moxibustion groups were evidently more in the number (P<0.01), and the number and percentage of the degranulated MCs in moxibustion group were significantly more than those of EA group (P<0.05), suggesting that EA and moxibustion could promote the release of granules of mast cells in the stimulated acupoint region, and the effect of moxibustion is stronger. CONCLUSION: Both EA and moxibustion can promote the degranulation of MCs, and the effect of moxibustion is markedly stronger in potentiating the release of granules from MCs in GV14 in rats.

[Progress in the study on the relationship between effects of acu-moxibustion and mast cells in acupoints].

The present paper reviews develonment of researches on the relationship between mast cells (MCs) and effects of acupuncture and moxibustion from (1) the formation, distribution, types, morphological characters of MCs and their biological effects, (2) the number and degranulation of MCs in acupoints, (3) the relavance of MCs and the phenomenon of sensation transmission along meridian, and 4) the correlation between the therapeutic effect of acupuncture for relieving allergic reaction and MCs. Researches show that (1) MCs act as one of the characteristic constituents in acupoints where the MCs are in close relation with the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion, (2) MCs participate in the regulatory process of the organism in physiology and pathology. The underlying mechanism of MCs-related neuro-humoral regulation and meridian needs to be studied further.

[Acupuncture-serum decreases Ca2+ content in cultured rat myocardial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether humoral factors play a role in the mechanisms of acupuncture. METHODS: Primary culture of myocardial cells of neonatal rats were carried out. Five days later, they were labeled by fluorescent molecular probe Fluo-3AM. Changes of Ca2+ contents in the cultured myocardial cells after addition of the normal rat serum or acupuncture-serum of the rat who received acupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6) and Jianshi (PC 5), were dynamically observed by a confocal laser scanning microscopy. RESULTS: After addition of normal serum of the rat, the intracellular Ca2+ level increased to a certain degree, and then gradually tended to stability, which was significantly decreased by addition of the acupuncture-serum (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The serum of the rat who received acupuncture at acupoints can decrease the Ca2+ level in cultured myocardial cells, which provides a direct evidence for serum factors involving in acupuncture mechanism.