Journal of Acupuncture Research

Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine Society (대한침구의학회)
권호 표지

Alterations of Cerebral Metabolic Activation Following Electro-Acupuncture Stimulation on ST36 and LR3 Acu-Points in Rats

흰쥐의 족삼리 및 태충 전침자극에 따른 뇌대사활성의 변화

  • Sohn, Young-Joo (Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung-Hee Univ.) ;
  • Jung, Hyuk-Sang (Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung-Hee Univ.) ;
  • Ku, Ja-Seung (Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung-Hee Univ.) ;
  • Won, Ran (Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung-Hee Univ.) ;
  • Kim, Yong-Suk (Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung-Hee Univ.) ;
  • Park, Young-Bae (Department of Biofunctional Medicine and Diagnosis, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung-Hee Univ.) ;
  • Sohn, Nak-Won (Department of Neuroscience, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung-Hee Univ.)
  • 손영주 (경희대학교 동서의학대학원 신경과학교실) ;
  • 정혁상 (경희대학교 동서의학대학원 신경과학교실) ;
  • 구자승 (경희대학교 동서의학대학원 신경과학교실) ;
  • 원란 (경희대학교 동서의학대학원 신경과학교실) ;
  • 김용석 (경희대학교 한의과대학 침구학교실) ;
  • 박영배 (경희대학교 한의과대학 기기진단학교실) ;
  • 손낙원 (경희대학교 동서의학대학원 신경과학교실)
  • Received : 2001.10.24
  • Accepted : 2002.01.05
  • Published : 2002.02.20
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Abstract

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 ($25{\mu}Ci/rat$). 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.

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