Abstract
To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on nucleus ventralis posterior lateralis (VPL) thalami activated by visceral noxious stimulation and to explore the impact of EA on the mechanism of acupoint sensitization under a pathological state of the viscera, EA was applied at bilateral “Zusanli-Shangjuxu” acupoints. The discharge of VPL neurons was response to EA increased after colorectal distension (CRD). The stimulation at “Zusanli-Shangjuxu” acupoints enhanced discharge activity of VPL neurons under CRD-induced visceral pain. The frequency of neuronal discharge was associated with the pressure gradient of CRD which showed that visceral noxious stimulation may intensify the body's functional response to stimulation at acupoints.
Highlights
Acupoints are special locations on body surfaces where the Qi of meridians and internal organs is infused
This study evaluated the neuronal discharge of ventral posterior lateral nucleus (VPL; the most important brain center for somatovisceral relay) by noxious inputs from the body surface and colorectal distension (CRD)
A total of 126 ventralis posterior lateralis (VPL) neurons that responded to mechanical stimulations from the body surface were identified in the 26 male SD rats, by referring to the Brain Atlas of the rat [14]
Summary
Acupoints are special locations on body surfaces where the Qi of meridians and internal organs is infused. They are the key link underlying the interactions between meridians and internal organs. When internal organs are under a pathological state, acupoints become more sensitive [1,2,3]. This study evaluated the neuronal discharge of ventral posterior lateral nucleus (VPL; the most important brain center for somatovisceral relay) by noxious inputs from the body surface and colorectal distension (CRD). We observed whether the effect of acupuncture on the receptive field (acupoint area) of VPL neurons on body surface was affected by visceral noxious inputs. The phenomena and mechanism of acupoint sensitization at the VPL level induced by visceral noxious inputs will be discussed
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