Effects of Tuina at "Weizhong （BL 40）" on Mechanical Pain Hypersensitivity in Chronic Dorsal Root Ganglion Compression Model Rats and the Characterization of Acupoint-Related Neural Afferents and Central Projections
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2026.17.014
- VernacularTitle:推拿“委中”穴对慢性背根神经节压迫模型大鼠机械痛觉过敏行为的影响及穴位相关神经传入和中枢投射特征研究
- Author:
Suhong ZHAO
1
;
Zhiwei WU
2
;
Dashuang GAO
3
;
Lingjun KONG
1
;
Qingguang ZHU
3
;
Min FANG
1
Author Information
1. Shuguang Hospital，Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Shanghai，201203
2. Guanghua Hospital，Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
3. Tuina Institute of Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
lumbar disc herniation;
Weizhong （BL 40）;
tuina;
analgesia;
neural afferents;
cerebral cortex
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2026;67(17):1893-1898
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo determine the effects of tuina at "Weizhong （BL 40）" on mechanical pain hypersensitivity in a rat model of chronic dorsal root ganglion （CCD）， and to preliminarily explore the anatomical distribution characteristics of neural afferents associated with "Weizhong （BL 40）" acupoint and their central projections. MethodsThirty SD rats were randomly assigned to a sham operation group， a model group， and a tuina group， with 10 rats in each group. In the model group and the tuina group， a chronic compression of CCD model was established by implanting stainless-steel rods into the right L4/5 and L3/4 intervertebral foramina. Rats in the sham operation group underwent surgical exposure only. From day 4 to day 28 after modeling， rats in the tuina group received daily manipulation at the right "Weizhong （BL 40）" （pressure： 5 N； frequency： 2 Hz； duration： 10 min/session）. Rats in the sham operation group and the model group were subjected only to fixation. Mechanical withdrawal threshold （MWT） was assessed before modeling and on day 3， 7， 14， 21， and 28 after modeling. On day 29 after modeling， pseudorabies virus （PRV）， a retrograde trans-multisynaptic tracer， was injected into the right "Weizhong （BL 40）" acupoint in rats from the model group. After 120 h， rats were perfusion-fixed through the heart， and local tissues surrounding the "Weizhong （BL 40）" acupoint， corresponding lumbar dorsal root ganglia， lumbar spinal cord， and brain tissues were collected for fluorescence imaging of PRV-positive signals. ResultsCompared to the sham operation group， rats in the model group and the tuina group showed significantly reduced MWT on day 3， 7， 14， 21， and 28 after modeling （P＜0.05）. Compared to the model group， rats in the tuina group exhibited significantly increased MWT on day 21 and 28 after modeling （P＜0.05）. Fluorescence imaging revealed PRV-positive signals in the deep fascial layer of local muscle tissue at "Weizhong （BL 40）"， the L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglia， the dorsal horn and central canal region of the spinal cord， as well as the primary somatosensory cortex （S1）， secondary motor cortex （M2）， and anterior cingulate cortex （ACC）. Among the examined cortical regions， M2 contained the largest number of PRV-positive neurons. ConclusionTuina at "Weizhong （BL 40）" alleviates mechanical hyperalgesia in rats with the chronic compression of CCD model. A traceable neuroanatomical connection exists between the linking deep tissues within "Weizhong （BL 40）" region and the corresponding lumbar dorsal root ganglia， the spinal dorsal horn， and specific cortical areas.
