Effect of Acupuncture Stimulation to the Low Back on Blood Flow to the Sciatic Nerve Trunk in Rabbits.
10.3777/jjsam.47.165
- VernacularTitle:家兎腰部しん刺激が坐骨神経幹の血流に及ぼす影響
- Author:
Daisuke YAMAGUCHI
;
Tadasu MATSUMOTO
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
blood flow;
acupuncture;
sciatic nerve;
H2 gas clearance method;
lumbago
- From:Journal of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion
1997;47(3):165-172
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
[Purpose] It is generally known that the acupuncture treatment to the low back is useful for lumbagoand lower limb pain. It is considered that improvement of blood flow to the muscle, connective tissue and/or nerve is associated with the effect of acpuncture. However, the effect of acupuncture on blood flow to the nerve has not clarified. So, this study was performed to clarify the effect of acupuncture on microcirculation in the sciatic nerve trunk.
[Method] Twenty-nine rabbits (weighing 2.1 to 3.5kg) were used. The rabbits were anesthetized withpentobarbital sodium (30mg/kg, i.v.). Then, the sciatic nerve was exposed and an electrode for blood flow measurement was inserted in the interfascicular space. An catheter was inserted into the common carotid artery to measure blood pressure, and thermister thermometer was placed in the anus to monitor body temperature. Blood flow was measured 6 times every 15 min. by the H2 gas clearance method. In the stimulation groups, acupuncture needles were inserted 1 cm from interspinous process (between the vertebra lumbalis 3 and 4. : A group, and between the vertebra lumbalis 7 and vertebra sacralis 1. : B group). Acupuncture stimulation by the “sparrow pecking” was performed immediately before the third measurement and by the “retaining needle” for 15 min., then the needles were removed just before the fourth measurement.
[Result] S In the stimulation groups (A and B groups), a significant increase in blood flow occurred afteracupuncture stimulation, compared to that in the control group. The increase in blood flow to the sciatic nerve in the stimulation groups was maintained until the final measurement. Arterial blood pressure and body temperature did not change. The changes in blood flow values from the second to the third measurement were -1.5 ± 0.4 (mean ± S.E, ) in the control group (n=10), +2.4 ± 1.2 in A group (n=11), and +4.0 ± 2.0 ml/min/100g in B group (n=8).
[Discussion] Blood flow increased after acupuncture stimulation, although there was no change inarterial blood pressure. Therefore, the increment in blood flow seems to have been caused by vasodilation of the blood vessel in the sciatic nerve trunk due to a parasympathetic nerve response. However, because the interfascicular blood flow in the present study was measured, change in the intrafascicular blood flow is not clear. It is necessary to measure the intrafascicular blood flow in future.
[Conclusion] As a result of this study, it was demonstrated that acupuncture stimulation near the vertebra lumbalis induced increased interfascicular blood flow to the sciatic nerve trunk. It was suggested that the increase in blood flow to the nerve is also associated with the effect of acupuncture treatment for lumbago and lower limb pain.
