The distribution of the common acupoints of acupuncture-moxibustion for gastrointestinal diseases conforms to the rule of the segmental homology of somatic afferent nerve-visceral nerve circuit at the spinal cord level. Acupuncture-moxibustion regulates the gastrointestinal function through the nerve-endocrine-immune system, and especially depending on the integrity of the structure and function of nervous system. The somatic afferent nerve-visceral nerve circuit plays an important role in the process of acupuncture and moxibustion for regulating the gastrointestinal function. There are three dimensions. ① The somatic afferent nerve-visceral nerve circuit at the peripheral level, including the somatic afferent nerve-visceral afferent nerve circuit centered on the dorsal root ganglion, and the somatic afferent nerve-visceral efferent nerve circuit centered on the sympathetic ganglia; ② that at the spinal cord level; ③ that at the supra-spinal cord level, focusing on the various reflex circuits with the solitary nucleus involved. The somatic afferent nerve-visceral nerve circuit at the spinal level and inferior to it determines the segmental regulation of acupuncture-moxibustion in the gastrointestinal system, while that at the level superior to the spinal cord determines the supersegmental action of acupuncture-moxibustion in regulating the gastrointestinal system. The neurophysiological mechanism of acupuncture-moxibustion is multi-circuits and multi-targets in regulating gastrointestinal function.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Gastrointestinal Tract/physiology* ; Animals ; Neurons, Afferent/physiology* ; Afferent Pathways/physiology*

Piezo2, a mechanosensitive ion channel, serves as a crucial mechanotransducer in dental primary afferent (DPA) neurons and is potentially involved in hypersensitivity to mild mechanical irritations observed in dental patients. Given Piezo2's widespread expression across diverse subpopulations of DPA neurons, this study aimed to characterize the mechanosensory properties of Piezo2-expressing DPA neurons with a focus on distinct features of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) and neuropeptide profiles. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, we observed mechanically activated action potentials (APs) and classified AP waveforms based on the presence or absence of a hump during the repolarization phase. Single-cell reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction combined with patch-clamp recordings revealed specific associations between AP waveforms and molecular properties, including tetrodotoxin-resistant VGSCs (Na_V1.8 and Na_V1.9) and TRPV1 expression. Reanalysis of the transcriptomic dataset of DPA neurons identified correlations between neuropeptides-including two CGRP isoforms (α-CGRP and β-CGRP), Substance P, and Galanin-and the expression of Na_V1.8 and Na_V1.9, which were linked to defined AP subtypes. These molecular associations were further validated in Piezo2⁺ DPA neurons using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Together, these findings highlight the electrophysiological and neurochemical heterogeneity of Piezo2-expressing DPA neurons and their specialized roles in distinct mechanosensory signal transmission.
Ion Channels/physiology* ; Mechanotransduction, Cellular/physiology* ; Animals ; Neurons, Afferent/metabolism* ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Mice ; TRPV Cation Channels/metabolism* ; Action Potentials ; Rats

Obesity is a prevalent disease with significant morbidity and mortality. It is a state of chronic low-grade inflammation due to excess body fat. Weight homeostasis is maintained through changes in various gastrointestinal hormones caused by dietary intake. However, being overweight or obese breaks the balance of these appetite-related gastrointestinal hormones and creates resistance to the actions of these hormones. The sensitivity of vagal afferent neurons to peripheral signals becomes blunted. Cytokines produced by excessive fat tissue damage our normal immune system, making us vulnerable to infection. In addition, various changes in gastrointestinal motility occur. Therefore, this review focuses on the various changes in gastrointestinal hormones, the immune state, the vagus nerve, and gastrointestinal movement in obese patients.
Adipose Tissue ; Cytokines ; Gastrointestinal Hormones ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Immune System ; Inflammation ; Mortality ; Neurons, Afferent ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Physiology ; Vagus Nerve

The rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) is a prominent component of the descending modulatory system involved in the control of spinal nociceptive transmission. In the current study, we investigated melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) expression in the RVM, where the neurons involved in modulation of nociception reside. Using a line of mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the MC4R promoter, we found a large number of GFP-positive neurons in the RVM [nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) and nucleus gigantocellularis pars α (NGCα)]. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry revealed that approximately 10% of MC4R-GFP-positive neurons coexpressed tyrosine hydroxylase, indicating that they were catecholaminergic, whereas 50%-75% of those coexpressed tryptophan hydroxylase, indicating that they were serotonergic. Our findings support the hypothesis that MC4R signaling in RVM may modulate the activity of serotonergic sympathetic outflow sensitive to nociceptive signals, and that MC4R signaling in RVM may contribute to the descending modulation of nociceptive transmission.
Animals ; Female ; Male ; Medulla Oblongata ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Neural Pathways ; cytology ; metabolism ; Neurons, Afferent ; cytology ; metabolism ; Nociception ; physiology ; Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Serotonergic Neurons ; metabolism ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; metabolism

Sciatic nerve injury is a common disease of peripheral nerve in clinic. After nerve injury, there are many dysfunctions in motoneurons and muscles following regeneration. Previous studies mostly investigated the aspects related to the injured nerve, and the effect on the recurrent inhibition (RI) pathway of spine following regeneration was not fully understood. Following reinnervation after temporary sciatic nerve crush, the functional alteration of RI was studied. In adult rats, RI between lateral gastrocnemius-soleus (LG-S) and medial gastrocnemius (MG) motor pools was assessed by conditioning monosynaptic reflexes (MSRs) elicited from the cut dorsal roots and recorded from either the LG-S or MG nerves by antidromic stimulation of the synergist muscle nerve. The following results were obtained. (1) The RI of MSRs in rats was almost lost (<5 weeks) after sciatic nerve crush. Although the RI partially recovered following reinnervation (6 weeks), it remained permanently depressed (up to 14 weeks). (2) Sciatic nerve crush on one side did not affect the contralateral RI. (3) Sciatic nerve crush did not induce any motoneuron loss revealed by immunohistochemistry. Peripheral nerve temporary disconnection causes long term alterations in RI pathway which make up motoneuron's function enhance for the alteration of muscle power and suggests that peripheral nerve injury induces long term plastic changes in the spinal motoneuron circuitry.
Animals ; Long-Term Synaptic Depression ; physiology ; Male ; Motor Neurons ; physiology ; Nerve Crush ; Nerve Regeneration ; physiology ; Neuronal Plasticity ; physiology ; Neurons, Afferent ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reflex, Monosynaptic ; physiology ; Sciatic Nerve ; injuries ; physiopathology ; Spinal Cord ; physiopathology ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; physiopathology

AIMTo explore the influence of GABAergic neurotransmitters and GABAA receptors on the auditory afferent impulses recorded in the brainstem evoked by electro-stimulation.

METHODSBrainstem slices were prepared using ddy/ddy mice of postnatal 0-5th days. The brainstem slices were stained with a voltage-sensitive dye(NK3041). The cut end of the vestibulocochlear nerve (nVIIIth) connected with slices was stimulated by a tungsten electrode, a 16 x 16 pixels silicon photodiode array apparatus was used to record the optical mapping from auditory brainstem slices. The data were analyzed by ARGUS-50/PDA software.

RESULTSThe spatial-temporal patterns of the excitatory propagation from the vestibulocochlear nerve (nVIIIth) to cochlear nucleus and vestibular nucleus were displayed with multiple-sites optical recording. The optical signal coming from one pixel consisted of a fast spike-like response and a following slow response. Inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA decreased the fast spike-like response and following slow response of evoked optical signals, while an antagonist BMI against GABAA receptors increased the both responses.

CONCLUSIONA 16 x 16 pixel silicon photodiode array apparatus can be used to record multiple-sites optical mapping evoked by electro-stimulation to the cut end of the vestibulocochlear nerve. The every optical signal consists of both presynaptic and postsynaptic elements. Inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and an antagonist BMI of GABAA receptors can modulate the excitatory propagation of evoked optical signals.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Auditory Pathways ; physiology ; Brain Stem ; physiology ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; physiology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mice ; Neurons, Afferent ; physiology ; Optics and Photonics ; Photic Stimulation ; Receptors, GABA-A ; physiology ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; physiology

The sleep-wake cycle displays a characteristic 24-hour periodicity, providing an opportunity to dissect the endogenous circadian clock through the study of aberrant behaviour. This article surveys the properties of circadian clocks, with emphasis on mammals. Information was obtained from searches of peer-reviewed literature in the PUBMED database. Features that are highlighted include the known molecular components of clocks, their entrainment by external time cues and the output pathways used by clocks to regulate metabolism and behaviour. A review of human circadian rhythm sleep disorders follows, including recent discoveries of their genetic basis. The article concludes with a discussion of future approaches to the study of human circadian biology and sleep-wake behaviour.
ARNTL Transcription Factors ; Animals ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; physiology ; CLOCK Proteins ; Circadian Rhythm ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Neurons, Afferent ; physiology ; Neurons, Efferent ; physiology ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Suprachiasmatic Nucleus ; cytology ; physiology ; Trans-Activators ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explicate the spinal nerve source of the rabbit penis cutaneous sensation.

METHODSTwelve adult male rabbits were randomly divided into two groups of equal number. While mechanical stimuli were given to the penis by different von Frey hairs, single fiber activities were recorded in vivo in the left (Group A) and right (Group B) S1-S4 spinal nerves, respectively. The mechanical threshold, adaptability and conduction velocity of the fibers were analyzed.

RESULTSWhen the ipsilateral penis was mechanically stimulated, discharges were detected in S2 and S3 spinal nerve fibers, but not in S1 and S4. The discharge fibers were 39.67 +/- 3.14 (S2) and 21.00 +/- 2.19 (S3) in the left spinal nerve and 40.00 +/- 3.16 (S2) and 19.67 +/- 2.58 (S3) in the right. There was no obvious difference between the numbers of the left spinal nerves and the right ones (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe rabbit penis cutaneous sensation originates from S2 and S3 spinal nerves.

Animals ; Electrophysiology ; Male ; Neurons, Afferent ; physiology ; Penis ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Sensory Thresholds ; Skin ; innervation ; Spinal Nerves ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between substance P (SP) and/or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactive neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and the transmission of nociception in the penile frenulum of rats.

METHODSThe fluoro-gold (FG) retrograde tracing method was used to trace the origin of nerve terminals in the penile frenulum of rats. And SP and/or CGRP immunofluorescence labeling was employed to detect the distribution of SP and/or CGRP immunoreactive neurons in DRG.

RESULTSFG retrograde tracing showed that the FG retrolabeled neurons were localized in L6-DRG and S1-DRG. SP and/or CGRP immunofluorescence labeling indicated that a large number of DRG neurons were SP- and CGRP-immunoreactive, different in size, bright red and bright green respectively in color, and arranged in rows or spots among nerve bundles. All the FG/SP and FG/CGRP double-labeled neurons were medium or small-sized. One third of the FG-labeled neurons were SP-immunoreactive, and a half of them CGRP-immunoreactive in L6-DRG and S1-DRG respectively. The FG/SP/CGRP-labeled neurons accounted for one fifth of the FG retro labeled neurons.

CONCLUSIONSP- and CGRP-immunoreactive neurons in L6-DRG and SI-DRG of rats may be involved in the transmission of nociception in rat penile frenulum.

Animals ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; analysis ; Ganglia, Spinal ; chemistry ; cytology ; Male ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Neurons ; chemistry ; physiology ; Neurons, Afferent ; chemistry ; physiology ; Penis ; innervation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Substance P ; analysis

Objective A calcium-activated chloride current (IClCa) has been observed in medium-sized sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). Axotomy of the sciatic nerve induces a similar current in the majority of medium and large diameter neurons. Our aim is to identify the molecule(s) underlying this current. Methods Using conventional and quantitative RT-PCR, we examined the expression in DRG of members of three families of genes, which have been shown to have IClCa current inducing properties. Results We showed the detection of transcripts representing several members of these families, i.e. chloride channel calcium-activated (CLCA), Bestrophin and Tweety gene families in adult DRG, in the normal state and 3 d after sciatic nerve section, a model for peripheral nerve injury. Conclusion Our analysis revealed that that mBest1 and Tweety2 appear as the best candidates to play a role in the injury-induced IClCa in DRG neurons.
Animals ; Axotomy ; Chloride Channels ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; DNA Primers ; Ganglia, Spinal ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Mice ; Neurons, Afferent ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sciatic Nerve ; physiology