Effects of different‐intensity laser acupuncture at two adjacent same‐meridian acupoints on nitric oxide and soluble guanylate cyclase releases in human

Abstract

This is the first evidence reporting that LA induced significant elevations of NO-sGC releases over acupoints, and the enhanced signal molecules contribute to local circulation, which improves the beneficial effects of the therapy.

Changes in Nitric Oxide Releases of the Contralateral Acupoint during and after Laser Acupuncture at Bilateral Same‐Name Acupoints in Human

“…There is a linear relationship between the absorbance and concentrations of nitrobenzene/protein [ 18 , 19 ]; in our research, we have also demonstrated that the linear relationship between absorbance and NO 3 − /NO 2 − concentrations at 302/351 nm peaks as shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b) (ND-1000, NanoDrop spectrophotometer, Gene Company Limited). LA at PC6, nonacupoint for 40 minutes, produced typical three peaks of absorbance spectra in PTIO solution which was injected to special silicon tube placed on PC6 just after LA treatment ( Figure 3 ) [ 4 ]. Based on the previous studies, the first (235 nm) and second (351 nm) peaks came from NO x − [ 20 – 22 ].…”

“…We analyzed the standard molecules under the same conditions to confirm this speculation. We have discovered that the first peak at 235 nm and the second peak at 351 nm all came from NO 2 − (Figures 2(a) and 2(b) ) [ 4 ]. Additionally, the NO 2 − absorbance at 235 nm was easily saturated; thus, absorbance peak at 351 nm was used to evaluate the levels of NO trapped by PTIO solution [ 4 ].…”

“…Additionally, there are some evidences concerning the specificity of acupoints that seem to be confirmed; many researchers pointed out that LA and electroacupuncture significantly increased nitric oxide (NO) release over acupoint whereas the NO release over nonacupoint only changed slightly after the same treatment [ 4 – 6 ]. Needling at acupoint enhanced the blood perfusion of the acupoint, but not at nearby nonacupoint [ 7 ].…”

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that NO levels over acupoints were higher than those of the nonacupoints [ 4 , 11 , 12 ]. NO as an important messenger molecule wields a significant influence on modulating the vasodilatation and vessel smooth muscle relaxation [ 13 ]; the vascular endothelial cells are capable of synthesizing NO as the primary cells in the body.…”

“…Electroacupuncture-induced NO synthesis could increase hepatic blood perfusion via vasodilation in liver tissue [ 17 ]. Our recent finding showed that LA-evoked releases of NO over acupoints are significantly enhanced compared to nonacupoint [ 4 ]; in this study, the purpose is to investigate the changes in NO levels of the PC6 for both nontreated and treated sides during and after LA treatments and to investigate whether the NO releases of bilateral PC6 with the same name are different during and after the same LA treatments and whether these phenomena are specific to acupoints.…”