Responses of nitric oxide-cGMP release in acupuncture point to electroacupuncture in human skin in vivo using dermal microdialysis.

Microcirculation

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California 90502, USA.

Published: July 2009

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the release of nitric oxide (NO) and cGMP in response to electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation in the acupuncture point (acupoint), compared to the non-meridian control area.

Methods: Thirty samples of dermal microdialysis data were collected from 24 volunteers at pericardium (PC) 4 and control area. EA was applied to PC 3 by using a 5-V pulse with a duration of 1.0 milliseconds at 10 Hz for 15 minutes. Dialysate samples were continuously collected 20 minutes each before, during, and after EA for two hours. Total nitrite and nitrate (NO(x)(-)) and cGMP in the dialysate were quantified in a blinded fashion.

Results: Dialysate NO(x)(-) concentrations were decreased during a 120-minute dialysis in all groups, but reduced NO(x)(-) levels were attenuated predominantly in PC 4 acupoint at 20-40 minutes after EA PC 3. cGMP concentrations were significantly enhanced in acupoint PC 4 by EA PC 3, but not in the non-meridian area.

Conclusion: We suggest that the attenuation of NO(x)(-) reduction during dialysis reflects an increase in NO release induced by EA stimulation in acupoint and that cGMP mediates the signaling functions of NO to improve local microcirculation, which, at least in part, contributes to the effects of acupuncture.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2788483PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10739680902915012DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

acupuncture point
8
dermal microdialysis
8
responses nitric
4
nitric oxide-cgmp
4
oxide-cgmp release
4
release acupuncture
4
point electroacupuncture
4
electroacupuncture human
4
human skin
4
skin vivo
4

Similar Publications

Background: Acupuncture has been demonstrated to have a promising effect on Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. The retrosplenial cortex (RSC) is one of the earliest brain regions affected in AD, and changes in its functional connectivity (FC) are reported to underlie disease-associated memory impairment. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of acupuncture on FC with the RSC in patients with AD.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Fatty liver disease is potentially linked to chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet the association between the Framingham Steatosis Index (FSI) and CKD remains uncharted. Our study thoroughly investigated the correlation between FSI and CKD, aiming to elucidate the underlying links between these two conditions.

Methods: The relationship between FSI and CKD was evaluated using a weighted multivariate logistic regression model, and the curvilinear relationship between FSI and CKD was explored through smooth curve fitting.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent degenerative bone and joint disease observed in clinical practice. While acupuncture has demonstrated efficacy in treating KOA, the central mechanisms underlying its effects remain ambiguous. Recently, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been extensively applied in studying the brain mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapies have shown great improvement in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, yet no bibliometric analysis on TCM therapies for COPD exists.

Summary: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on TCM therapies for COPD within the past decade, utilizing the Web of Science (WOS) Core Collection and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. To analyze collaborative patterns among countries/regions, institutions, and authors, as well as identify influential references and emerging research trends, CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were employed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate state between normal aging and dementia, and its symptoms include easy forgetting, distraction, and mental deterioration. This directly affects the patient's motor function, daily living ability, and social adaptability, and brings many difficulties to the patient's reintegration into society. Therefore, clinical research on MCI is very necessary.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!