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Leung SB, Zhang H, Lau CW, Lin ZX. Attenuation of blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats by acupuncture was associated with reduction oxidative stress and improvement from endothelial dysfunction. Chin Med 2016; 11:38. [PMID: 27582785 PMCID: PMC5006281 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-016-0110-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hypertension can be treated effectively by acupuncture; however, the association between acupuncture and endothelial function remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of acupuncture on endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress-related parameters in spontaneously hypertensive animals. Methods Eighteen-week-old Wistar–Kyoto rats (WKYs) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were arbitrarily divided into four groups: WKY control (n = 8), SHR control (n = 8), SHR sham-acupuncture (n = 8) and SHR acupuncture (n = 8). The SHR acupuncture group had electroacupuncture for 6 consecutive weeks on acupoints ST36 and LR3. Blood pressure was monitored during the treatment period, and animals were euthanized at the 6th week. Aortas were harvested for determination of angiotensin II levels, NADPH oxidase activity and nitrate/nitrite levels. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined by dihydroethidium (DHE) imaging, and functional studies were performed to assess vascular reactivity. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase was measured by Western blot assay. Results Blood pressure at the end of treatment was significantly lower in the SHR acupuncture group (185.0 ± 5.6 mmHg) compared with the SHR sham-acupuncture and the SHR control groups (201.0 ± 5.4 and 197.4 ± 5.9 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.001). Serum angiotensin II level in the SHR control group was significantly higher than in the WKY control group (P < 0.001), while it was significantly attenuated by acupuncture treatment (P = 0.023). DHE staining showed that ROS level was reduced in the aortas (P = 0.0017) and carotid arteries (P = 0.039) of acupuncture-treated SHRs. Biochemical assays showed that acupuncture inhibited the NADPH oxidase activity (P = 0.022) and enhanced antioxidant capacity (P = 0.0039). In functional studies, endothelium-dependent relaxation of aortic rings (P = 0.018) and carotid arteries (P = 0.022) in response to acetylcholine was improved in the SHR acupuncture group. Aortas of SHRs receiving acupuncture also expressed an elevated level of eNOS (P > 0.001) and p-eNOS (P = 0.012) and a reduced nitrotyrosine level (P = 0.0012). The nitrate/nitrite level in aortic tissue was also attenuated after acupuncture (P = 0.0018). Conclusion The effects of acupuncture in treating hypertension were associated with reduced oxidative stress, increased nitric oxide bioavailability and endothelial function in SHRs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13020-016-0110-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sin Bond Leung
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chi Wai Lau
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Xiu Lin
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
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Matsumoto-Miyazaki J, Miyazaki N, Murata I, Yoshida G, Ushikoshi H, Ogura S, Minatoguchi S. Traditional Thermal Therapy with Indirect Moxibustion Decreases Renal Arterial Resistive Index in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease. J Altern Complement Med 2016; 22:306-14. [PMID: 26983055 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2015.0276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the immediate effects of traditional local thermal therapy with indirect moxibustion on renal hemodynamics in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by using Doppler ultrasonography (US). DESIGN Examiner-blinded crossover study. PARTICIPANTS Forty-three participants with CKD (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 44 ± 15 years; estimated glomerular filtration rate, 69.5 ± 25.5 mL/min per 1.73 m(2); 20 men and 23 women). INTERVENTION Participants received three successive treatment sessions of indirect moxibustion bilaterally at BL 23, a crucial acupuncture point, in the session. In the control session, the examiner was blinded by using smoke and aroma produced by moxibustion performed in an ashtray placed near the patient's body. OUTCOME MEASURES The main outcome measure was resistive index (RI) in the renal segmental arteries. Blood flow parameters, including RI, were measured for six renal segmental arteries by using Doppler US at rest (baseline), immediately after completion of moxibustion (post 1), and 10 minutes later (post 2). Adverse events were monitored during intervention. RESULTS In the control session, RI at post 1 (median [first, third quartile]: 0.587 [0.562, 0.626]) and post 2 (0.583 [0.567, 0.629]) did not change significantly compared with baseline (0.592 [0.563, 0.636]), while in the treatment session, RI at post 1 (0.565 [0.530, 0.618]) and post 2 (0.561 [0.533, 0.614]) decreased significantly compared with baseline (0.590 [0.550, 0.652]) (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The reduction in RI from baseline to post 2 in treatment session was significantly greater than in control session (mean ± SD, -0.026 ± 0.028 versus -0.003 ± 0.028; mean difference, -0.023 [95% confidence interval, -0.036 to -0.010]; p = 0.001]. No adverse events, such as burns, were observed during the study period. CONCLUSION Renal vascular resistance was decreased after indirect moxibustion therapy in patients with CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Matsumoto-Miyazaki
- 1 Department of Cardiology and Respirology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine , Gifu, Japan
| | - Nagisa Miyazaki
- 1 Department of Cardiology and Respirology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine , Gifu, Japan
| | - Ichijiro Murata
- 1 Department of Cardiology and Respirology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine , Gifu, Japan .,2 Department of Chronic Kidney Disease, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine , Gifu, Japan
| | - Gakuro Yoshida
- 1 Department of Cardiology and Respirology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine , Gifu, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Ushikoshi
- 1 Department of Cardiology and Respirology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine , Gifu, Japan .,3 Advanced Critical Care Center, Gifu University Hospital , Gifu, Japan
| | - Shinji Ogura
- 3 Advanced Critical Care Center, Gifu University Hospital , Gifu, Japan .,4 Department of Emergency and Disaster Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine , Gifu, Japan
| | - Shinya Minatoguchi
- 1 Department of Cardiology and Respirology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine , Gifu, Japan
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Shengfeng L, Xin C, Ohara H, Nakamura Y, Izumi-Nakaseko H, Ando K, Wanxin L, Sugiyama A, Bingmei Z. Common parameters of acupuncture for the treatment of hypertension used in animal models. J TRADIT CHIN MED 2015; 35:343-8. [DOI: 10.1016/s0254-6272(15)30108-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Matsumoto-Miyazaki J, Miyazaki N, Ushikoshi H, Nawa T, Yoshida G, Murata I, Ogura S, Minatoguchi S. Traditional Thermal Therapy with Indirect Moxibustion Decreases Renal Arterial Resistive Index. J Altern Complement Med 2014; 20:693-7. [DOI: 10.1089/acm.2014.0154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Matsumoto-Miyazaki
- Department of Cardiology and Respirology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Nagisa Miyazaki
- Department of Cardiology and Respirology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Ushikoshi
- Department of Cardiology and Respirology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
- Advanced Critical Care Center, Gifu University Hospital, Gifu, Japan
| | - Takahide Nawa
- Department of Cardiology and Respirology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Gakuro Yoshida
- Department of Cardiology and Respirology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Ichijiro Murata
- Department of Cardiology and Respirology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Shinji Ogura
- Department of Emergency and Disaster Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Shinya Minatoguchi
- Department of Cardiology and Respirology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
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Gademan MGJ, van Exel HJ, van de Vooren H, Haest JCW, van Pelt J, van der Laarse A, Cannegieter SC, Lucas CMHB, Somer S, Verwey HF, Schalij MJ, van der Wall EE, Swenne CA. Exercise-resembling effects of periodic somatosensory stimulation in heart failure. Int J Cardiol 2013; 168:3327-33. [PMID: 23643425 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2013.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2012] [Revised: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 04/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanism of the beneficial effects of exercise training on autonomic derangement and neurohumoral activation in chronic heart failure (CHF) is largely unexplained. In our here-presented hypothesis-generating study we propose that part of these effects is mediated by the exercise-accompanying somatosensory nerve traffic. To demonstrate this, we compared the effects of periodic electrical somatosensory stimulation in patients with CHF with the effects of exercise training and with usual care. METHODS In a randomized controlled study we measured, in CHF patients, changes in blood pressure, baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), neurohormones, exercise capacity and quality of life (QOL) in response to periodic somatosensory stimulation in the form of 2 Hz transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) at both feet, in response to conventional exercise training (EXTR) and, as control (CTRL), in patients with usual care only. RESULTS Group sizes were N=31 (TENS group), N=25 (EXTR group) and N=30 (CTRL group), respectively. Practically all improvements in BRS, neurohormone concentrations, exercise capacity and QOL in the TENS group were comparable to, or sometimes even better than in the EXTR group. These improvements were not observed in the CTRL group. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that periodic electrical somatosensory stimulation is as effective as exercise training in improving BRS, neurohormone concentrations, exercise capacity and QOL in CHF patients. These results encourage exploration of exercise modalities that concentrate on rhythm rather than on effort, with the purpose to normalize autonomic derangement and neurohumoral activation in CHF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike G J Gademan
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Burggraaf JLI, Elffers TW, Segeth FM, Austie FMC, Plug MB, Gademan MGJ, Maan AC, Man S, de Muynck M, Soekkha T, Simonsz A, van der Wall EE, Schalij MJ, Swenne CA. Neurocardiological differences between musicians and control subjects. Neth Heart J 2013; 21:183-8. [PMID: 23283752 DOI: 10.1007/s12471-012-0372-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exercise training is beneficial in health and disease. Part of the training effect materialises in the brainstem due to the exercise-associated somatosensory nerve traffic. Because active music making also involves somatosensory nerve traffic, we hypothesised that this will have training effects resembling those of physical exercise. METHODS We compared two groups of healthy, young subjects between 18 and 30 years: 25 music students (13/12 male/female, group M) and 28 controls (12/16 male/female, group C), peers, who were non-musicians. Measurement sessions to determine resting heart rate, resting blood pressure and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) were held during morning hours. RESULTS Groups M and C did not differ significantly in age (21.4 ± 3.0 vs 21.2 ± 3.1 years), height (1.79 ± 0.11 vs 1.77 ± 0.10 m), weight (68.0 ± 9.1 vs 66.8 ± 10.4 kg), body mass index (21.2 ± 2.5 vs 21.3 ± 2.4 kg∙m(-2)) and physical exercise volume (39.3 ± 38.8 vs 36.6 ± 23.6 metabolic equivalent hours/week). Group M practised music daily for 1.8 ± 0.7 h. In group M heart rate (65.1 ± 10.6 vs 68.8 ± 8.3 beats/min, trend P =0.08), systolic blood pressure (114.2 ± 8.7 vs 120.3 ± 10.0 mmHg, P = 0.01), diastolic blood pressure (65.0 ± 6.1 vs 71.0 ± 6.2 mmHg, P < 0.01) and mean blood pressure (83.7 ± 6.4 vs 89.4 ± 7.1, P < 0.01) were lower than in group C. BRS in groups M and C was 12.9 ± 6.7 and 11.3 ± 5.8 ms/mmHg, respectively (P = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS The results of our study suggest that active music making has training effects resembling those of physical exercise training. Our study opens a new perspective, in which active music making, additionally to being an artistic activity, renders concrete health benefits for the musician.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L I Burggraaf
- Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Yamamoto H, Kawada T, Kamiya A, Kita T, Sugimachi M. Electroacupuncture changes the relationship between cardiac and renal sympathetic nerve activities in anesthetized cats. Auton Neurosci 2008; 144:43-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2008.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2008] [Revised: 08/13/2008] [Accepted: 09/12/2008] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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Weil N, Friger M, Press Y, Tal D, Soffer T, Peleg R. The Effect of Acupuncture on Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients Treated in a Complementary Medicine Clinic. INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE INSIGHTS 2007. [DOI: 10.1177/117863370700200001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Hypertension is a major health problem with serious medical and financial consequences. Experimental studies in animals and clinical studies in humans have demonstrated that acupuncture can reduce blood pressure significantly in hypertensive patients. The objective was to assess the effect of acupuncture on blood pressure in hypertensive patients treated at a complementary medicine clinic. Methods Blood pressure values measured before and following acupuncture were recorded from the charts of hypertensive patients who came to the clinic for treatment of other problems. The therapy used was the Kiiko Matsumoto technique for blood pressure imbalance. Results Twenty-nine patients were studied (18 [62%] women). The mean age was 58.5 ± 16.3 years. Systolic blood pressure dropped significantly as a result of the treatment and there was a non-significant trend to reduced diastolic pressure. Weekly acupuncture therapy led to a continuous reduction in systolic blood pressure. Conclusions Acupuncture has a beneficial effect on hypertension, particularly on systolic pressure. Further studies with larger study groups for longer periods of time can confirm this observation and contribute to our understanding of combination therapy with acupuncture and conventional medications for hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirit Weil
- Complementary Medicine Clinic, Clalit Health Services, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Michael Friger
- Department of Epidemiology
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Yan Press
- Complementary Medicine Clinic, Clalit Health Services, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Department of Family Medicine
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Dror Tal
- Complementary Medicine Clinic, Clalit Health Services, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Tammy Soffer
- Complementary Medicine Clinic, Clalit Health Services, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Department of Health Services System Administration
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Roni Peleg
- Complementary Medicine Clinic, Clalit Health Services, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Department of Family Medicine
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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9
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Kim DD, Pica AM, Durán RG, Durán WN. Acupuncture reduces experimental renovascular hypertension through mechanisms involving nitric oxide synthases. Microcirculation 2006; 13:577-85. [PMID: 16990216 PMCID: PMC1618823 DOI: 10.1080/10739680600885210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that acupuncture on stomach 36 point (ST-36) reduces hypertension by activating nitric oxide synthase signaling mechanisms. METHODS The authors used the two-kidney, one-clip renal hypertension (2K1C) hamster model with electroacupuncture treatment. RESULTS Thirty-minute daily electroacupuncture treatment for 5 days reduced mean arterial pressure from 160.0 +/- 7.6 to 128.0 +/- 4.3 mmHg (mean +/- SEM), compared to 115.0 +/- 7.2 mmHg in sham-operated hamsters. Electroacupuncture increased periarteriolar NO concentration from 309.0 +/- 21.7 nM to 417.9 +/- 20.9 nM in the 2K1C hamster cheek pouch microcirculation when measured with NO-sensitive microelectrodes. Hypertension reduced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) proteins relative to the sham-operated control, as measured by Western blotting. Electroacupuncture prevented the reduction of eNOS and nNOS associated with hypertension and showed even higher eNOS and nNOS expressions than sham-operated control in stomach and cheek pouch tissues, which are on the stomach meridian. Analysis of liver tissue, a non-stomach-meridian organ, indicated that electroacupuncture did not have a significant benefit in terms of enhanced expressions of eNOS and nNOS in the treated 2K1C hypertensive group. CONCLUSIONS Activation of eNOS and nNOS is one of the mechanisms through which ST-36 electroacupuncture reduces blood pressure; this reduction works through the stomach meridian.
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Affiliation(s)
- David D Kim
- Program in Vascular Biology, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, 07101-1709, USA.
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10
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Markell MS. Potential benefits of complementary medicine modalities in patients with chronic kidney disease. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis 2005; 12:292-9. [PMID: 16010644 DOI: 10.1016/j.ackd.2005.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by the general population is common, and, although potential for harm exists, evidence is accumulating that several modalities, including acupuncture, massage, relaxation response/guided or integrative imagery, meditation, and herbal supplements, have actions that are beneficial for patients with chronic illness. Potential areas in which CAM might benefit patients with kidney disease include prolonging time of progression to kidney failure as well as treatment of concomitant problems, including arthritides, pruritus, cardiovascular risk factors, anxiety, depression, and fatigue, as well as hepatoprotection and treatment of uremic bruising. Although no systematic survey of prevalence of use has been performed in patients with chronic kidney disease and much research remains to be done so that safety and efficacy issues can be resolved, it is likely that many patients are using the services of CAM providers without the knowledge of their nephrologists. Thus, it behooves us to become conversant in these therapies so that we may hold open dialogues with our patients, discouraging potentially harmful treatments, suggesting potentially helpful ones, and monitoring them for effects, both beneficial and harmful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana S Markell
- Division of Renal Diseases, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
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Abstract
Acupuncture as a complex therapeutic system has been used to treat a variety of diseases and pathological conditions. Although the exact mechanism(s) of acupuncture remains unknown, some evidence suggests a mechanism initially involving signal transduction through connective tissue, with secondary involvement of other systems including the nervous system. Acupuncture has become increasingly popular in the Western countries as a therapy for pain and several chronic disorders difficult to manage with conventional treatments. Acupuncture and acupuncture-like somatic nerve stimulation have been used in different kidney diseases and several complications related to them. The effect of acupuncture techniques in some kidney diseases is reviewed on the basis of clinical reports as well as mechanisms that may possibly explain the beneficial effects mediated by acupressure/acupuncture. The potential effect of acupressure techniques in renal inflammation and whether these effects could be mediated through the newly identified cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela E Garcia
- Section of Nephrology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Zhou W, Fu LW, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Li P, Longhurst JC. Afferent mechanisms underlying stimulation modality-related modulation of acupuncture-related cardiovascular responses. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2005; 98:872-80. [PMID: 15531558 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01079.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the use of acupuncture to treat a number of heart diseases, little is known about the mechanisms that underlie its actions. Therefore, we examined the influence of acupuncture on sympathoexcitatory cardiovascular responses to gastric distension in anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats. Thirty minutes of low-current, low-frequency, (0.3–0.5 mA, 2 Hz) electroacupuncture (EA), at P 5–6, S 36–37, and H 6–7 overlying the median, deep peroneal, and ulnar nerves significantly decreased reflex pressor responses by 40, 39, and 44%, respectively. In contrast, sham acupuncture involving needle insertion without stimulation at P 5–6 or 30 min of EA at LI 6–7 acupoints overlying the superficial radial nerve did not attenuate the reflex. Similarly, EA at P 5–6 using 40- or 100-Hz stimulation frequencies did not inhibit the reflex. Compared with EA at P 5–6, EA at two sets of acupoints, including P 5–6 and S 36–37, did not lead to larger inhibition of the reflex. Two minutes of manual acupuncture (MA; 2 Hz) at P 5–6 every 10 min for 30 min inhibited the reflex cardiovascular pressor response by 33%, a value not significantly different from 2-Hz EA at P 5–6. Single-unit afferent activity was not different between electrical stimulation (ES) and manual stimulation. However, 2-Hz ES activated more somatic afferents than 10- or 20-Hz ES. These data suggest that, although the location of acupoint stimulation and the frequency of stimulation determine the extent of influence of EA, there is little difference between low-frequency EA and MA at P 5–6. Furthermore, simultaneous stimulation using two acupoints that independently exert strong effects did not lead to an additive or a facilitative interaction. The similarity of the responses to EA and MA and the lack of cardiovascular response to high-frequency EA appear to be largely a function of somatic afferent responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhou
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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Lin CF, Liao JM, Tsai SJ, Chiang PY, Ting H, Tang CY, Lou KL, Hsieh LC, Wang DW, Lin TB. Depressor effect on blood pressure and flow elicited by electroacupuncture in normal subjects. Auton Neurosci 2003; 107:60-4. [PMID: 12927228 DOI: 10.1016/s1566-0702(03)00103-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
To clarify the effect of electroacupuncture (Ea) on the activity of the cardiovascular system in normal individuals, hemodynamic parameters including arterial blood pressure (BP), finger blood flow (FBF) and heart rate (HR) as well as paravertebral temperature (PVT) were non-invasively recorded under Ea stimulation. Surface stimulation electrode was placed on the Hoku point (Li-4). Square wave pulses (0.05 ms) were applied from a stimulator with a stimulation frequency of 2 Hz (3 min). The stimulation intensity was five times of sensory threshold. BP and FBF were decreased (68.5+/-6.0%, P<0.01 and 96.8+/-1.1%, P<0.01 of control, respectively, n=7) while HR and PVT were increased significantly (115.0+/-5.1 of control, P<0.05 and 0.054+/-0.004 degree C, P<0.01, respectively, n=7) during Ea treatment. The results suggested an inhibition in sympathetic outflow, which induced vasodilatation of systemic arteriole and decrease in BP and FBF were elicited by Ea stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Feng Lin
- School of Physical Therapy, Chung-Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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Ting H, Liao JM, Lin CF, Chiang PY, Chang CC, Kuo DY, Lin TB. Pressor effect on blood pressure and renal nerve activity elicited by electroacupuncture in intact and acute hemorrhage rats. Neurosci Lett 2002; 327:5-8. [PMID: 12098487 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(02)00336-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The neural mechanism underlying the effect of electroacupuncture (Ea) on arterial blood pressure (BP) and renal nerve activity (RNA) in the intact state and during acute hemorrhage was investigated in anesthetized rats. Two acupoints, Hoku (Li-4, at the junction of the first and the second metacarpal bone) and Tsusanli (St-36, at the lateral upper tibia bone), were tested using Ea of two different frequencies (2 and 20 Hz). In the intact state, Ea at Hoku elicited an elevation of BP in parallel with RNA, while Ea found no response with identical parameters at Tsusanli. The pattern of the pressor response caused by a low frequency Ea (2 Hz) at Hoku was different than a high frequency one (20 Hz), i.e. a tonic effect was elicited with 2 Hz, while a phasic one was induced with 20 Hz. In mild hemorrhage conditions (10% of BP decrease), similar pressor effects, as in intact rats, were also elicited by Ea. However, in severe hemorrhage conditions (20 and 30% BP decrease), Ea induced a pressor effect on RNA and an attenuated effect on BP. BP and RNA showed a significant correlation in intact and mild hemorrhage conditions, but not in severe hemorrhage conditions. All the results suggested that Ea at Hoku with appropriate stimulation parameters can increase and maintain BP in normal and hemorrhage conditions, and such a therapeutic technique has potential in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Ting
- University Hospital, Chung-Shan Medical University, No. 110 Chang-Kuo North Road, the first Section, Taichung 10018, Taiwan
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15
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Liao JM, Lin CF, Ting H, Chang CC, Lin YJ, Lin TB. Electroacupuncture at Hoku elicits dual effect on autonomic nervous system in anesthetized rats. Neurosci Res 2002; 42:15-20. [PMID: 11814605 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-0102(01)00299-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
To address the effect of electroacupuncture (Ea) on the autonomic nerve activity, responses of arteriole blood pressure (BP), intragastric pressure (IGP) and parasympathetic vagal nerve activity (VNA) to Ea were investigated in alpha-chloralose anesthetized rats. The acupoint: Hoku (Li-4) was tested with two different stimulation frequencies (2 and 20 Hz). Decrease in VNA and basal IGP associated with elevation of BP were elicited during Ea at Hoku with stimulation intensity of 20 times of motor threshold. The pattern of response induced by the low frequency Ea (LFEa) was different from that by the high frequency Ea (HFEa), i.e. a tonic effect was elicited by the LFEa, while a phasic one was induced by the HFEa. All the results in this study implicated that: (1) Ea at Hoku may activate the sympathetic and simultaneously inhibit the gastric parasympathetic nerve; (2) Ea at Hoku with different stimulation frequencies may elicit distinct mechanism to induce therapeutic effect; (3) Ea at Hoku may ameliorate the hyperactive stomach in clinical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiuan Miaw Liao
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Chung-Shan Medical and Dental College, Taichung 10018, Taiwan
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Lin TB, Fu TC. Effect of electroacupuncture on blood pressure and adrenal nerve activity in anesthetized rats. Neurosci Lett 2000; 285:37-40. [PMID: 10788702 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(00)01012-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The neural mechanism underlying the effect of electroacupuncture (Ea) on arterial blood pressure (BP) and adrenal nerve activity (ANA) was investigated in anesthetized rats. Tsusanli (St-36) and Hoku (Li-4) were tested with combinations of two different frequencies (3 and 30 Hz) with various stimulation intensities of Ea. At Tsusanli, no effect was found, while at Hoku, an elevation of BP in parallel with ANA was elicited during Ea when the intensity was 5xT or higher. The pattern of the pressor response caused by the low frequency Ea (LFEa, 3 Hz) was a tonic one, while a phasic one was induced by the high frequency Ea (HFEa, 30 Hz). When both Hoku were simultaneously stimulated with the same frequency, the latency to reach the maximal effect was shortened. However, when two different frequencies were used instead, a response characterized by a combination of both phasic and tonic effect was obtained. In bilateral Ea with idential frequency but different onset time, the pressor effect elicited by the latter Ea showed no further increase during the stimulation period, however, when different frequencies were employed, each Ea elicited its own effect independently. The pressor effect elicited by Ea was abolished by regitine but not affected by adrenalectomy. It is concluded that a LFEa and a HFEa at Hoku with appropriate stimulation parameters can increase BP which is mainly due to potentiation of the sympathetic vasoconstrictor tone but via different central mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- T B Lin
- Department of Physiology, Chung Shan Medical and Dental College, Taichung, Taiwan, China
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