Objective : The meridian theory in oriental medicine explains that each acu-point has a characteristic functional effect. It will be supposed that an acupuncture stimulation on different acu-point evokes different activation on different areas in the central nervous system(CNS) according to the meridian theory. On this supposition, our group tried the semi-quantitative [14C]2-deoxyglucose([14C]2-DG) autoradiography on the acupuncture stimulation to the hindlimb acu-points of Sprague-Dawley rats.
Methods : A venous catheter for the intravenous administration of isotope was equipped in the right external jugular vein on 3 days prior to the [14C]2-DG study. On the day of the study, two acupuncture needles were inserted into the ST36(Zusanli) or LR3(Taichong) on the left hindlimb. Electro-acupuncture stimulation (2 Hz, 5 ms, 1∼3 mA, 15 minutes) started just before the i.v. injection of [14C]2-DG (25 μCi/rat). The brain and the spinal cord were removed and processed for the [14C] 2-DG autoradiography.
Results : The EA stimulation on ST36 reveals over 120% metaboilc activation in Arcuate nucleus, Anterior pretectal nucleus, Dorsal cochlear nucleus, Interposed cerebellar nucleus, and Nucleus of Darkschewitsch. The EA stimulation on LR3 reveals over 120% metaboilc activation in Lateral habenula nucleus, Medial vestibular nucleus, Ventromedial thalamic nucleus, Anteroventral thalamic nucleus, Anterior cingulate cortex, Dentate gyrus, Antero cortical amygdaloid nucleus, Anterior pretectal nucleus, and Dorsal tegmental nucleus compared with the non EA stimulation control group.
Conclusion : These results demonstrate that the different acu-points evoke the different activations in brain areas. And with this functional brain mapping study, a new scientific elucidation for the basis of the acupuncture-meridian theory in oriental medicine through differences of activated area in CNS according to the each acupuncture point.
|