Top

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

Published in:

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Effect of Electroacupuncture on the NTS is modulated primarily by acupuncture point selection and stimulation frequency in normal rats

Authors: Jun-Fan Fang, Jun-Ying Du, Xiao-Mei Shao, Jian-Qiao Fang, Zhe Liu

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Background

The effect of electroacupuncture (EA) is affected by both the acupuncture point selection and the frequency of stimulation. However, little is known regarding acupuncture point and simulation frequency selection. Neuronal activation of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is one of the important targets of EA for modulating gastrointestinal function. This study investigated the effects of various combinations of EA frequencies and acupuncture points on NTS neurons.

Methods

Rats were randomly divided into normal, 2 Hz EA, 100 Hz EA and the alternate 2/100 Hz EA groups. Then rats in each group were randomly divided into the following two subgroups according to the acupuncture point: ST 36 group and ST 25 group. All the rats underwent electrode implantation surgery. Rats in all EA groups received one treatment with EA (a constant square wave at, 2 Hz,100 Hz or 2/100 Hz frequencies with intensities ranging from 1 to 2 mA), and NTS neuronal activation was recorded before and after EA treatment. Finally, to confirm the effect of EA on the NTS, minimal acupuncture was administered and its effect on NTS was detected.

Results

ST 36 stimulated with 2 Hz EA significantly increased the population of excited NTS neurons and spike frequency. However, ST 36 stimulated with 100 Hz or 2/100 Hz EA produced only a transient effect on the activity of NTS neurons and did not induce any effect on the spike frequency. Furthermore, the excitatory effect of 100 Hz or 2/100 Hz EA on NTS neurons in the ST 36 group was lower than 2 Hz EA at the same point. When applied to ST 25, 2 Hz EA had no significant excitatory effect on NTS neurons or spike frequency. However, 100 Hz EA or 2/100 Hz EA at ST 25 decreased both NTS neuronal excitability and spike frequency. By comparing the effects of different EA combinations, it was shown 2 Hz EA applied to ST 36 had the strongest excitatory effect on NTS neurons, while 100 Hz EA applied to ST 25 had the greatest inhibitory effect. Minimal acupuncture stimulation produced no effect on NTS neurons.

Conclusion

EA’s effects on NTS were mainly affected by the acupuncture point selection, but the frequency of EA also played a role. Different combinations of acupuncture points and frequency selection may lead to different EA effects on NTS neuronal excitability.

Lee LA, Chen J, Yin J. Complementary and alternative medicine for gastroparesis. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2015;44(1):137–50. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2014.11.011.CrossRefPubMed

Lim SM, Yoo J, Lee E, Kim HJ, Shin S, Han G, et al. Acupuncture for spasticity after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:870398. doi:10.1155/2015/870398.PubMedPubMedCentral

Ryu HK, Baek YH, Park YC, Seo BK. Current studies of acupuncture in cancer-induced bone pain animal models. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:191347. doi:10.1155/2014/191347.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Shen X, Xia J, Adams CE. Acupuncture for schizophrenia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;10:CD005475. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005475.pub2.

Yu Z, Luo L, Li Y, Wu Q, Deng S, Lian S, et al. Different manual manipulations and electrical parameters exert different therapeutic effects of acupuncture. J Tradit Chin Med. 2014;34(6):754–8.CrossRefPubMed

Huang Z, Zhang N, Xu F, Yin J, Dai N, Chen JD. Ameliorating effect of transcutaneous electroacupuncture on impaired gastric accommodation induced by cold meal in healthy subjects. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016;31(3):561–6. doi:10.1111/jgh.13168.CrossRefPubMed

Zhang CX, Guo LK. Dalitong granule combined with electroacupuncture in the treatment of functional dyspepsia: a randomized controlled trial. Chin J Integr Med. 2015;21(10):743–50. doi:10.1007/s11655-015-2175-5.CrossRefPubMed

Wang H, Shen GM, Liu WJ, Huang S, Zhang MT. The neural mechanism by which the Dorsal Vagal complex mediates the regulation of the gastric motility by Weishu (RN12) and Zhongwan (BL21) stimulation. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:291764. doi:10.1155/2013/291764.PubMedPubMedCentral

Gao X, Qiao Y, Jia B, Jing X, Cheng B, Wen L, et al. NMDA receptor-dependent synaptic activity in Dorsal motor nucleus of Vagus mediates the enhancement of gastric motility by stimulating ST36. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:438460. doi:10.1155/2012/438460.PubMedPubMedCentral

10.

Travagli RA, Hermann GE, Browning KN, Rogers RC. Brainstem circuits regulating gastric function. Annu Rev Physiol. 2006;68:279–305. doi:10.1146/annurev.physiol.68.040504.094635.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

11.

Weng ZJ, Wu LY, Zhou CL, Dou CZ, Shi Y, Liu HR, et al. Effect of electroacupuncture on P2X receptor regulation in the peripheral and central nervous systems of rats with visceral pain caused by irritable bowel syndrome. Purinergic Signal. 2015;11(3):321–9. doi:10.1007/s11302-015-9447-6.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

12.

Zhao ZK, Hu S, Zhang LJ, Zhou FQ, Shi X, Wang HB, et al. Electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) promotes gastric emptying and mucosal blood flow during oral resuscitation of scalded rats with a pyruvate-enriched ORS. Burns. 2015;41(3):575–81. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2014.09.007.CrossRefPubMed

13.

Lee CH, Kim DK, Yook TH, Sasaki M, Kitamura N. Effectiveness of electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) on the immunohistochemical density of enteroendocrine cells related to gastrointestinal function. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2012;5(2):63–71. doi:10.1016/j.jams.2012.01.002.CrossRefPubMed

14.

Du F, Liu S. Electroacupuncture with high frequency at acupoint ST-36 induces regeneration of lost enteric neurons in diabetic rats via GDNF and PI3K/AKT signal pathway. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2015;309(2):R109–18. doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00396.2014.CrossRefPubMed

15.

Li XY, Wang N, Wang YJ, Zuo ZX, Koga K, Luo F, et al. Long-term temporal imprecision of information coding in the anterior cingulate cortex of mice with peripheral inflammation or nerve injury. J Neurosci. 2014;34(32):10675–87. doi:10.1523/jneurosci.5166-13.2014.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

16.

Yin J, Chen JD. Gastrointestinal motility disorders and acupuncture. Auton Neurosci. 2010;157(1–2):31–7. doi:10.1016/j.autneu.2010.03.007.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

17.

Takahashi T. Acupuncture for functional gastrointestinal disorders. J Gastroenterol. 2006;41(5):408–17. doi:10.1007/s00535-006-1773-6.CrossRefPubMed

18.

Haker E, Egekvist H, Bjerring P. Effect of sensory stimulation (acupuncture) on sympathetic and parasympathetic activities in healthy subjects. J Auton Nerv Syst. 2000;79(1):52–9.CrossRefPubMed

19.

Liu XH, Han M, Zhu JX, Sun N, Tang JS, Huo FQ, et al. Metabotropic glutamate subtype 7 and 8 receptors oppositely modulate cardiac nociception in the rat nucleus tractus solitarius. Neuroscience. 2012;220:322–9. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.05.024.CrossRefPubMed

20.

Gyires K, Toth VE, Zadori ZS. Gastric mucosal protection: from the periphery to the central nervous system. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2015;66(3):319–29.PubMed

21.

Jean A. Brain stem control of swallowing: neuronal network and cellular mechanisms. Physiol Rev. 2001;81(2):929–69.PubMed

22.

Bailey TW, Appleyard SM, Jin YH, Andresen MC. Organization and properties of GABAergic neurons in solitary tract nucleus (NTS). J Neurophysiol. 2008;99(4):1712–22. doi:10.1152/jn.00038.2008.CrossRefPubMed

23.

Browning KN, Travagli RA. Plasticity of vagal brainstem circuits in the control of gastric function. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2010;22(11):1154–63. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2982.2010.01592.x.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

24.

He JF, Yan J, Li JS, Liu JH, Wang C, Chang XR, et al. Neuron discharge and c-Fos expression in the nucleus of the solitary tract following electroacupuncture at acupoints of the Yangming stomach Meridian of foot. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. 2013;6(2):82–8. doi:10.1016/j.jams.2012.12.002.CrossRefPubMed

25.

Cakmak YO. Epilepsy, electroacupuncture and the nucleus of the solitary tract. Acupunct Med. 2006;24(4):164–8.CrossRefPubMed

26.

Noguchi E. Acupuncture regulates gut motility and secretion via nerve reflexes. Auton Neurosci. 2010;156(1–2):15–8. doi:10.1016/j.autneu.2010.06.010.CrossRefPubMed

27.

Li YQ, Zhu B, Rong PJ, Ben H, Li YH. Neural mechanism of acupuncture-modulated gastric motility. World J Gastroenterol: WJG. 2007;13(5):709–16.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

28.

Liu MY, Wang CW, Wu ZP, Li N. Electroacupuncture for the prevention of postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction in patients undergoing vascular surgery under general anesthesia: study protocol for a prospective practical randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2014;12(6):512–9. doi:10.1016/s2095-4964(14)60049-2.CrossRefPubMed

29.

Meng ZQ, Garcia MK, Chiang JS, Peng HT, Shi YQ, Fu J, et al. Electro-acupuncture to prevent prolonged postoperative ileus: a randomized clinical trial. World J Gastroenterol: WJG. 2010;16(1):104–11.PubMedPubMedCentral

30.

Song J, Yin J, Sallam HS, Bai T, Chen Y, Chen JD. Electroacupuncture improves burn-induced impairment in gastric motility mediated via the vagal mechanism in rats. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2013;25(10):807–e635. doi:10.1111/nmo.12183.PubMed

31.

Wang CP, Kao CH, Chen WK, Lo WY, Hsieh CL. A single-blinded, randomized pilot study evaluating effects of electroacupuncture in diabetic patients with symptoms suggestive of gastroparesis. J Altern Complement Med. 2008;14(7):833–9. doi:10.1089/acm.2008.0107.CrossRefPubMed

32.

Wang X, Shi H, Shang H, He W, Chen S, Litscher G, et al. Effect of Electroacupuncture at ST36 on gastric-related neurons in spinal Dorsal horn and nucleus Tractus Solitarius. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:912898. doi:10.1155/2013/912898.PubMedPubMedCentral

33.

Guo X, Chen J, Lu Y, Wu L, Weng Z, Yang L, et al. Electroacupuncture at he-mu points reduces P2X4 receptor expression in visceral hypersensitivity. Neural Regen Res. 2013;8(22):2069–77. doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.22.006.PubMedPubMedCentral

34.

Xu J, Chen L, Tang L, Chang L, Liu S, Tan J, et al. Electroacupuncture inhibits weight gain in diet-induced obese rats by activating hypothalamicLKB1-AMPK signaling. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015;15:147. doi:10.1186/s12906-015-0667-7.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

35.

Li YQ, Zhu B, Rong PJ, Ben H, Li YH. Effective regularity in modulation on gastric motility induced by different acupoint stimulation. World J Gastroenterol: WJG. 2006;12(47):7642–8.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

36.

Zhu X, Liu Z, Qu H, Niu W, Gao L, Wang Y, et al. The effect and mechanism of electroacupuncture at LI11 and ST37 on constipation in a rat model. Acupunct Med. 2016;34(3):194–200. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2015-010897.CrossRefPubMed

37.

Gao LL, Guo Y, Sha T, Liu YY, Tang JB, Yuan F, et al. Differential effects of variable frequencies of manual acupuncture at ST36 in rats with atropine-induced inhibition of gastric motility. Acupunct Med. 2016;34(1):33–9. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2015-010756.CrossRefPubMed

38.

Tada H, Fujita M, Harris M, Tatewaki M, Nakagawa K, Yamamura T, et al. Neural mechanism of acupuncture-induced gastric relaxations in rats. Dig Dis Sci. 2003;48(1):59–68.CrossRefPubMed

39.

Lin JG, Chen WL. Acupuncture analgesia: a review of its mechanisms of actions. Am J Chin Med. 2008;36(4):635–45. doi:10.1142/s0192415x08006107.CrossRefPubMed

Title: Effect of Electroacupuncture on the NTS is modulated primarily by acupuncture point selection and stimulation frequency in normal rats
Authors: Jun-Fan Fang
Jun-Ying Du
Xiao-Mei Shao
Jian-Qiao Fang
Zhe Liu
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-1690-7

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Effect of Electroacupuncture on the NTS is modulated primarily by acupuncture point selection and stimulation frequency in normal rats

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2017

Antimalarial activity of Garcinia mangostana L rind and its synergistic effect with artemisinin in vitro

Effect of acupuncture on Lipopolysaccharide-induced anxiety-like behavioral changes: involvement of serotonin system in dorsal Raphe nucleus

Adding Chinese herbal medicine to conventional therapy brings cognitive benefits to patients with Alzheimer’s disease: a retrospective analysis

Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen Stapf sprout extract has anti-metastatic activity in colon cancer cells in vitro

The treatment of migraine patients within chiropractic: analysis of a nationally representative survey of 1869 chiropractors

Chronic low back pain patients’ use of, level of knowledge of and perceived benefits of complementary medicine: a cross-sectional study at an academic pain center