The effects of electroacupuncture(EA) on blood concentration of endocrine substances were investigated in 6 horses.
Three acupuncture points ; Guan Yuan Shu(BL-26), Wei Shu(BL-21) and Da Chang Shu(BL-25) were stimulated for 20 minutes by EA at separate occasions under varying condition ; 2V-1㎐, 2V-5㎐, 2V-30㎐, 4V-1㎐, 4V-5㎐ and 4V-30㎐.
Plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH), β-endorphin, epinephrine, norepinephrine and serum levels of gastrin were analysed. Blood samplings were carried out before, 0, 20 and 40 minutes after the EA stimulation.
The serum gastrin levels were increased by 2V-5㎐ stimulation on the Wei Shu. Plasma ACTH levels were decreased by 2V-1㎐ stimulation on the Wei Shu, but largely increased by 4V-30㎐ stimulation on the Guan Yuan Shu. Plasma β-endorphin levels were slightly increased or decreased by 2V-1㎐ stimulation, but largely increased by 4V-30㎐ stimulation on the Guan Yuan Shu. Plasma levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine were not so much changed by 2V-1㎐ or 5㎐ stimulation, but tended to increase by 4V-30㎐ stimulation on Guan Yuan Shu.
These results suggest that the low voltage-low frequence EA stimulation increased blood concentration of gastrin, but decreased ACTH, β-endorphin, epinephrine and norepinephrine, whereas high voltage-high frequence EA stimulation induced opposite results. Accordingly, there appears to be a close relationship between the changes of gastrointestinal motility and the changes of blood concentration of endocrine substances by EA stimulation.
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