Pressor Effects on Blood Pressure Induced by Isovolumic Bladder Distension and Electro-Acupuncture Stimulations in Anesthetized Rats

Abstract

The pressor effects on blood pressure (BP) elicited by electro-acupuncture (Ea) stimulations and vesico-vascular reflex (VVR) were investigated in anesthetized rats. Twenty adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were used throughout this study. Two acupoints, the Hoku (Li-4) and the Tsusanli (St-36), were tested by a low frequency Ea (LFEa, 2 Hz) and a high frequency Ea (HFEa, 20 Hz) with intensities 20 times that of the motor threshold. Ea at Tsusanli elicited no pressor effects (98.15 +/- 4.10% and 101.43 +/- 3.96% of pre-stimulation control in LFEa and HFEa, respectively) whereas pressor effects could be induced by Ea stimulations at Hoku (126.3 +/- 3.3% and 136.3 +/- 3.8% of pre-stimulation control in LFEa and HFEa, respectively. P < 0.01, n = 10). In addition, the patterns of pressor effects elicited by LFEa and HFEa at Hoku were different, i.e., LFEa at Hoku elicited a tonic pressor effect, while HFEa elicited a phasic one. The VVR induced by bladder isovolumic saline distension also elicited a pressor effect on BP (119.2 +/- 2.2%, P < 0.01, n = 10) in the same preparations during bladder contractions. The VVR did not modify the Ea-induced pressor responses, and vice versa, when both of them were superimposed. All the results suggested that the pressor effects elicited by the VVR and the Ea stimulation were additive responses. In addition, for future clinical application, our findings may imply that patients should be carefully monitored for signs and symptoms of autonomic dysfunction during clinical acupuncture treatments

A New Type of Signaling Pathways as Pilomotor Lines along Skin for Transmitting Acupuncture Signals to Produce Acupuncture Effects

“…Experiments were performed in sequence: [1] the BPT of the rabbit was measured 3 times for 15 min; [2] injection of the physiological saline or regitin was commenced; [3] after 5 min injection with 2 µl, the rabbit received acupuncture for 10 min and another injection of 1 µl simultaneously; [4] after acupuncture, injection continued for 50 min with 4 µl, while the PT was measured at 5-min intervals; [5] after stopping the injection, PT was measured at 5-min intervals for 75 min.…”

“…BPT was measured 6 times for 30 min for observing more normal states. Experiments were performed as follows: [1] the rabbits were hung and the cheek hairs were shaved as described previously; [2] the BPT was measured; [3] injections commenced; [4] after 5 min injection, PT was measured at 5-min intervals for 85 min and the injection continued 25 min.…”

“…But in many related researches, electrical acupuncture was used and AE or AA was measured during the electrical acupuncture. I am always suspect such results while the animal was stimulated by electrical pulses, accompanying intense contraction of the body muscles and tremble of the limbs (4). The electrical acupuncture should be different to the traditional acupuncture in many respects.…”