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Zhan C, Jang HB, Ahn D, Chang S, Ryu Y, Kim HK, Lee BH, Guan X, Fan Y, Lee BH, Kim HY. Deep electroacupuncture of neurogenic spots attenuates immobilization stress-induced acute hypertension in rats. Integr Med Res 2024; 13:101006. [PMID: 38298862 PMCID: PMC10826306 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2023.101006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Our previous studies proved that neurogenic inflammatory spots (or neurogenic spots) have the same physiological features as acupuncture points and that neurogenic spot stimulation generates therapeutic effects in various animal models. However, it is unclear how deeply the neurogenic spots should be stimulated to generate therapeutic effects. Methods The effects of acupuncture at various needle depths below the neurogenic spot were examined in a rat immobilization stress-induced hypertension (IMH) model. Electroacupuncture was applied to a neurogenic spot at depths of 1, 2, or 3 mm using a concentric bipolar electrode. Results Electrical stimulation of the neurogenic spot at a 3-mm depth most effectively lowered blood pressure compared with controls and stimulation at 1- and 2-mm depths, which was inhibited by pretreatment with a local anesthetic lidocaine. Electrical stimulation of the neurogenic spot or injection of substance P (SP) at a 3-mm depth significantly excited the rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM) compared with superficial stimulation. Electrical stimulation applied at a 3-mm depth on neurogenic spots dominantly caused c-fos expression from rVLM and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) in IMH rats. Pretreatment with resiniferatoxin (RTX) injection into the neurogenic spot to ablate SP or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) prevented the effects of 3-mm neurogenic spot stimulation on blood pressure in IMH rats. Conversely, artificial injection of SP or CGRP generated anti-hypertensive effects in IMH rats. Conclusion Our data suggest that neurogenic spot stimulation at a 3-mm depth generated anti-hypertensive effects through the local release of SP and CGRP and activation of rVLM and vlPAG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Zhan
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Han Byeol Jang
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - DanBi Ahn
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Suchan Chang
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Yeonhee Ryu
- Korean Medicine Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyung Kyu Kim
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Oral Physiology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Bong Hyo Lee
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Xiaowei Guan
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Fan
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Bae Hwan Lee
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hee Young Kim
- Department of Physiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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Mun J, Lee J, Park E, Park SM. Frequency-dependent depression of the NTS synapse affects the temporal response of the antihypertensive effect of auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS). J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 35905707 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac857a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS) has recently emerged as a promising neuromodulation modality for blood pressure (BP) reduction due to its ease of use although its efficacy is still limited compared to direct baroreflex stimulation. Previous studies have also indicated that synaptic depression of nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) in the baroreflex pathway depends on stimulus frequency. However, the nature of this frequency dependence phenomenon on antihypertensive effect has been unknown for aVNS. We aimed to investigate the antihypertensive effect of aVNS considering frequency-dependent depression characteristic in the NTS synapse. We explored NTS activation and BP reduction induced by aVNS and by direct secondary neuron stimulation (DS). APPROACH Both protocols were performed with recording of NTS activation and BP response with stimulation for each frequency parameter (2, 4, 20, 50, and 80 Hz). MAIN RESULTS The BP recovery time constant was significantly dependent on the frequency of DS and aVNS (DS - 2 Hz: 8.17 ± 4.98; 4 Hz: 9.73 ± 6.3; 20 Hz: 6.61 ± 3.28; 50 Hz: 4.93 ± 1.65; 80 Hz: 4.00 ± 1.43, p < 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis H-test / aVNS - 2 Hz: 4.02 ± 2.55; 4 Hz: 8.13 ± 4.05; 20 Hz: 6.40 ± 3.16; 50 Hz: 5.18 ± 2.37; 80 Hz: 3.13 ± 1.29, p < 0.05, Kruskal-Wallis H-test) despite no significant BP reduction at 2 Hz compared to sham groups (p > 0.05, Mann-Whitney U-test). SIGNIFICANCE Our observations suggest that the antihypertensive effect of aVNS is influenced by the characteristics of frequency-dependent synaptic depression in the NTS neuron in terms of the BP recovery time. These findings suggest that the antihypertensive effect of aVNS can be improved with further understanding of the neurological properties of the baroreflex associated with aVNS, which is critical to push this new modality for clinical interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junseung Mun
- Department of Convergence IT Engineering, POSTECH, IMSLAB, 2nd floor, C5 building, POSTECH 77, Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, South Korea, Pohang, 37673, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Jiho Lee
- Department of Convergence IT Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, IMSLAB, 2nd floor, C5 building, POSTECH 77, Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, South Korea, Pohang, 37673, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Eunkyoung Park
- Department of Medical and Mechatronics Engineering, Soonchunhyang University, Chungnam 31538, Asan, Korea, Asan, Chungcheongnam-do, 31538, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Sung-Min Park
- POSTECH, IMSLAB, 2nd floor, C5 building, POSTECH 77, Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, South Korea, Pohang, 37673, Korea (the Republic of)
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Abstract
This paper is the forty-third consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2020 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, 11367, United States.
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Fan Y, Kim DH, Gwak YS, Ahn D, Ryu Y, Chang S, Lee BH, Bills KB, Steffensen SC, Yang CH, Kim HY. The role of substance P in acupuncture signal transduction and effects. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 91:683-694. [PMID: 32956833 PMCID: PMC7749828 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acupuncture has been used to treat a wide variety of diseases, disorders, and conditions for more than 2500 years. While the anatomical structures of acupuncture points (or acupoints) are largely unknown, our previous studies have suggested that many acupoints can be identified as cutaneous neurogenic inflammatory spots (neurogenic spots or Neuro-Sps), arising from the release of neuropeptides from activated small diameter sensory afferents at topographically distinct body surfaces due to the convergence of visceral and somatic afferents. In turn, the neuropeptides released during neurogenic inflammation may play important roles in the effects of acupuncture as well as the formation of active acupoints. Thus, the present study has focused on the role of substance P (SP) in acupuncture signal transduction and effects. METHODS Neuro-Sps were detected by using in vivo fluorescence imaging after intravenous injection of Evans blue dye (EBD) and compared with traditional acupoints. Stimulatory effects of the Neuro-Sps were examined in a rat model of immobilization-induced hypertension (IMH). The roles of increased SP in Neuro-Sps were also investigated by using immunohistochemistry, in vivo single-fiber peripheral nerve recordings, and in vivo midbrain extracellular recordings. RESULTS Neurogenic inflammation quickly appeared at acupoints on the wrist and was fully developed within 15 min in IMH model. The Neuro-Sps showed an increased release of SP from afferent nerve terminals. Mechanical stimulation of these Neuro-Sps increased cell excitability in the midbrain (rostral ventrolateral medulla) and alleviated the development of hypertension, which was blocked by the local injection of the SP receptor antagonist CP-99994 into Neuro-Sps prior to acupuncture and mimicked by the local injection of capsaicin. Single fiber recordings of peripheral nerves showed that increased SP into the Neuro-Sps elevated the sensitivity of A- and C-fibers in response to acupuncture stimulation. In addition, the discharge rates of spinal wide dynamic response (WDR) neurons significantly increased following SP or acupuncture treatment in Neuro-Sps in normal rats, but decreased following the injection of CP-99994 into Neuro-Sps in IMH rats. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that SP released during neurogenic inflammation enhances the responses of sensory afferents to the needling of acupoints and triggers acupuncture signaling to generate acupuncture effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Fan
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu 42158, South Korea
| | - Do-Hee Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu 42158, South Korea
| | - Young Seob Gwak
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu 42158, South Korea
| | - Danbi Ahn
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu 42158, South Korea
| | - Yeonhee Ryu
- Korean Medicine Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, South Korea
| | - Suchan Chang
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu 42158, South Korea
| | - Bong Hyo Lee
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu 42158, South Korea
| | - Kyle B Bills
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, United States; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (P), Provo, UT 84604, United States
| | - Scott C Steffensen
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, United States
| | - Chae Ha Yang
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu 42158, South Korea
| | - Hee Young Kim
- Department of Physiology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Daegu 42158, South Korea.
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