Acupuncture stimulation to the sacral segment affects state of vigilance in rats

作者：Wang Hui; Tanaka Yoshiyuki; Seki Hideo; Jodo Eiich; Kayama Yukihiko; Kawauchi Akihiro; Miki Tsuneharu; Otsuki Manabu; Koyama Yoshimasa^*

来源：Neuroscience Research, 2007, 57(4): 531-537.

DOI：10.1016/j.neures.2006.12.011

• acupuncture
• electroencephalogram
• sacral segment
• locus coeruleus
• GABAergic systems

The effects of acupuncture stimulation to the sacral segment on electroencephalograms (EEGs) and activity of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons were examined in urethane-anesthetized rats. In 71 of 112 trials, when EEGs displayed small amplitude and high frequency, stimulation to the sacral segment-induced large amplitude and slow EEGs with a latency of < 450 s and duration ranged from 32 s to > 42 min. Stimulus-induced EEGs comprised significant increases in delta power and significant decreases in theta and beta powers. After intraperitoneal administration of bicuculline, stimulation to the sacral segment failed to induce changes in EEG pattern. Firing rate of noradrenergic LC neurons decreased significantly from 2.9 +/- 1.5 to 1.1 +/- 0.8 Hz (n = 11, p < 0.001). Decreased neuronal activity exhibited close relationships with increased EEG amplitude. These results suggest that acupuncture stimulation to the sacral segment changes the state of animals from light anesthesia to deep anesthesia, and that this change is mediated by GABAergic systems suppressing the activity of noradrenergic LC neurons.

• 出版日期2007-4