Objective: To investigate the effects of paired ST36 and RN12 acupuncture stimulation on gastric motility and the firing rate of responsible neurons in anesthetized rats.Methods: Using electrophysiological methods, we measured the effects of acupuncture at RN12, ST36, or RN12+ST36 on gastric motility as well as nerve discharges from the gastric sympathetic, vagal nerve, and wide dynamic range(WDR) neurons in the spinal dorsal horn T7-9 in anesthetized rats.Results: 1) Acupuncture at RN12 inhibited gastric motility(83.84±4.49)% and vagal nerve discharge(65.64±5.67)%, but promoted sympathetic nerve activity(243.70±40.67)%; acupuncture at ST36 induced opposing effects on gastric motility(111.31±2.01)% and vagal nerve discharge(166.98±15.92)%. Interestingly, acupuncture at RN12+ST36 together yielded effects similar to that of acupuncture at RN12 alone(93.59±2.05)%,(54.52±7.12)%. 2) WDR neuron discharges induced by gastric distension were inhibited by acupuncture at RN12(194.56 ±18.79)%. However, acupuncture at ST36 induced a more significant inhibitory effect.Conclusion: Acupuncture at RN12 inhibits gastric motility by activation of the sympathetic reflex at the spinal level; acupuncture at ST36 promotes gastric motility by activation of the parasympathetic reflex at the supraspinal level, and acupuncture at RN12+ST36 produces a similar decrease in gastric motility as RN12 stimulation alone. Both acupoints decrease the effect of noxious gastric distention on WDR neuron activity, but paired RN12+ST36 stimulation does not significantly affect WDR neuron discharge.
Acupoints are particular areas on the surface of the body through which the Qi and blood of the Zang-fu organs and meridians flow.Acupoints can respond to stimuli and reflect syndromes.Research on the essential morphology of acupoints has two key focuses:anatomical structure and physiological function.The structure is the material and anatomical basis for the function,while the function is the manifestation of the structure.The two factors not only have profound significance for our understanding of the essence of acupoints,but also have great value for clinical acupuncture and moxibustion practice.Based on the structural and functional characteristics of meridians under different physiological and pathological conditions,this paper illustrates the essence of acupoints and explores the rules and biological basis of the acupoint functions induced by acupuncture and moxibustion.
RONG PeiJingZHAO JingjunSHI LiBEN HuiLI ShaoYuanLI XiaZHU Bing
