The Effect of Electroacupuncture Stimulation on the Nerve Blood flow in Rats.
- VernacularTitle:神経血流に及ぼすしん通電刺激の影響について
- Author:
Tadashi YANO
;
Naoto Ishizaki
;
Fumihiko FUKUDA
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Nerve blood flow;
Electroacupuncture;
Laser doppler flowmetry;
Sciatic nerve
- From:The Journal of The Japanese Society of Balneology, Climatology and Physical Medicine
1998;61(3):141-147
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
-
Abstract:
As a preparatory study for treating diabetic neuropathy by acupuncture, we investigated the effect of electroacupuncture on the sciatic blood flow in rats. Nerve blood flow was measured with a laser doppler flowmeter. Different treatments were applied to three groups of rats as follows:
1) those stimulated with low-frequency (1Hz, 5Hz) electroacupuncture,
2) those stimulated with high-frequency (20Hz, 100Hz) electroacupuncture and
3) those stimulated by pinching in the tails.
In the electroacupuncture groups, stimulation was applied to the plantae. While little change was observed in the rats stimulated with low-frequency electroacupuncture, temporary increases in both blood flow and blood pressure were observed in the rats stimulated with high-frequency electroacupuncture and in the rats subjected to pinch stimulation.
These reactions were all inhibited by the administration of phentolamine (α receptor blocker).
These results suggest that the increase in sciatic blood flow induced by high-frequency electroacupuncture and pinch simulation are dependent on the blood pressure.
