scholarly journals Sino-European Transcontinental Basic and Clinical High-Tech Acupuncture Studies—Part 3: Violet Laser Stimulation in Anesthetized Rats

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin-Yan Gao ◽  
Gerhard Litscher ◽  
Kun Liu ◽  
Bing Zhu

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of violet laser stimulation on three acupuncture points in anesthetized rats and to test the hypothesis that violet laser light can modulate neurovegetative parameters like heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). Recordings were performed in 10 male anesthetized rats under three conditions in Beijing, and monitored with equipment from Graz, where also data analysis was performed. For stimulation a violet laser (emitted wavelength 405 nm, laser output 1 mW, continuous mode) was used. The electrocardiograms were recorded by an HRV Medilog AR12 system during laser acupuncture stimulation of the head, ear, and body (Baihui, “heart” ear acupoint, Zusanli). HR changed significantly only during (P=0.013) and after (P=0.038) stimulation at Baihui. Total HRV and the low frequency/high frequency ratio showed insignificant changes. There was an insignificant decrease in MAP after stimulation of Baihui acupoint. Violet laser stimulation offers a method to induce acute effects in HR and HRV in rats. Although the precise mechanism of this effect remains to be determined, alterations are significant. Violet laser stimulation on the Baihui acupoint could readily be translated to clinical studies.

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin-Yan Gao ◽  
Kun Liu ◽  
Bing Zhu ◽  
Gerhard Litscher

Evidence-based research concerning the effects of high-tech acupuncture on autonomic function was performed by two research teams from China and Austria. This study describes the first transcontinental teleacupuncture measurements in animals. Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) recordings in 10 male Sprague-Dawley anesthetized rats were performed under stable conditions in Beijing, China, and the data analysis was completed in Graz, Austria. The electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded by an HRV Medilog AR12 system during acupuncture of the ear and body (PC6 Neiguan, CV12 Zhongwan, ST36 Zusanli). The data were analyzed using specially adapted novel Austrian software. HR did not change significantly during any acupuncture stimulation in anesthetized rats (ear acupuncture, PC6, CV12, or ST36). Total HRV only changed significantly(P=0.025)during auricular acupuncture (acupoint heart). The low-frequency/high-frequency ratio parameter decreased significantly(P=0.03)during stimulation of ST36. This change was based on intensification of the related mechanism of blood pressure regulation that has been demonstrated in previous studies in humans. Modernization of acupuncture research performed as a collaboration between China and Austria has also been demonstrated.


2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (03) ◽  
pp. 505-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Soo Kim ◽  
Young Chang Cho ◽  
Joo Hyun Moon ◽  
Sok Cheon Pak

This research evaluates the effect of physiological responses during electrical acupuncture (EA) stimulation on specific acupuncture points (APs: PC5 and PC6). A variety of special responses in the human body were determined by electroencephalogram (EEG), heart rate (HR) in an electrocardiogram (ECG), and skin impedance test for 2 groups, sham group as a control and a group under acupuncture stimulation. The total stimulation time in this study was set for 5 min since the effect of EA on all recorded parameters became stable within this period. According to the experiments, during EA stimulation of PC5 and PC6, the power spectrum of EEG showed that the number of low frequency waves was increased in all lobes. Heart rate variability measures of 10 subjects stimulation trials at PC6 and PC5 were compared to 10 subjects who received no stimulation treatment. In both the AP and the sham groups, the mean R-R interval increased significantly during EA stimulation. A comparison between the AP and non-AP group in terms of skin resistance measurement experiments revealed no difference in skin resistance. The results of this study verified that EA stimulation of APs (PC5, PC6) causes EEG changes, and ECG heart rate changes. However, from human skin impedance measurements, the beneficial effects were not sustained. These results may be helpful in the understanding of the mechanism underlying the effect of electrical acupuncture on PC6 and PC5.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Litscher ◽  
Lu Wang ◽  
Xiaoyu Wang ◽  
Ingrid Gaischek

There are only few scientific publications dealing with the basic investigation of the effects of only one or two acupoints or comparing one single point with another single point, using different stimulation methods in the same persons. The aim of this needle-controlled, randomized crossover study was to investigate the neurovegetative parameters heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) using two different acupoints, Baihui (GV20) and Neiguan (PC6), in separate sessions. We investigated 11 healthy volunteers (3 m, 8 f) with a mean age ± SD of22.9±2.8years. The two acupoints were stimulated for 10 minutes each with manual needle acupuncture, red laser acupuncture (658 nm), and violet laser acupuncture (405 nm), in randomized order. Needle and red laser stimulation of the Baihui acupoint decreased HR significantly. Only violet laser stimulation at the Neiguan acupoint induced a significant increase of total HRV. Further studies using other neurovegetative parameters and more volunteers are necessary to confirm the preliminary results.


Author(s):  
Arundhati Goley ◽  
A. Mooventhan ◽  
NK. Manjunath

Abstract Background Hydrotherapeutic applications to the head and spine have shown to improve cardiovascular and autonomic functions. There is lack of study reporting the effect of either neutral spinal bath (NSB) or neutral spinal spray (NSS). Hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effects of both NSB and NSS in healthy volunteers. Methods Thirty healthy subjects were recruited and randomized into either neutral spinal bath group (NSBG) or neutral spinal spray group (NSSG). A single session of NSB, NSS was given for 15 min to the NSBG and NSSG, respectively. Assessments were taken before and after the interventions. Results Results of this study showed a significant reduction in low-frequency (LF) to high-frequency (HF) (LF/HF) ratio of heart rate variability (HRV) spectrum in NSBG compared with NSSG (p=0.026). Within-group analysis of both NSBG and NSSG showed a significant increase in the mean of the intervals between adjacent QRS complexes or the instantaneous heart rate (HR) (RRI) (p=0.002; p=0.009, respectively), along with a significant reduction in HR (p=0.002; p=0.004, respectively). But, a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p=0.037) and pulse pressure (PP) (p=0.017) was observed in NSSG, while a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p=0.008), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) (p=0.008) and LF/HF ratio (p=0.041) was observed in NSBG. Conclusion Results of the study suggest that 15 min of both NSB and NSS might be effective in reducing HR and improving HRV. However, NSS is particularly effective in reducing SBP and PP, while NSB is particularly effective in reducing DBP and MAP along with improving sympathovagal balance in healthy volunteers.


2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (11) ◽  
pp. 1371-1381 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Mendoza ◽  
Rachael J. Passafaro ◽  
Santhosh M. Baby ◽  
Alex P. Young ◽  
James N. Bates ◽  
...  

Exposure to hypoxia elicits changes in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate, and frequency of breathing (fr). The objective of this study was to determine the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the cardiovascular and ventilatory responses elicited by brief exposures to hypoxia in isoflurane-anesthetized rats. The rats were instrumented to record MAP, heart rate, and fr and then exposed to 90 s episodes of hypoxia (10% O2, 90% N2) before and after injection of vehicle, the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), or the inactive enantiomer d-NAME (both at 50 μmol/kg iv). Each episode of hypoxia elicited a decrease in MAP, bidirectional changes in heart rate (initial increase and then a decrease), and an increase in fr. These responses were similar before and after injection of vehicle or d-NAME. In contrast, the hypoxia-induced decreases in MAP were attenuated after administration of l-NAME. The initial increases in heart rate during hypoxia were amplified whereas the subsequent decreases in heart rate were attenuated in l-NAME-treated rats. Finally, the hypoxia-induced increases in fr were virtually identical before and after administration of l-NAME. These findings suggest that NO factors play a vital role in the expression of the cardiovascular but not the ventilatory responses elicited by brief episodes of hypoxia in isoflurane-anesthetized rats. Based on existing evidence that NO factors play a vital role in carotid body and central responses to hypoxia in conscious rats, our findings raise the novel possibility that isoflurane blunts this NO-dependent signaling.


1991 ◽  
Vol 261 (2) ◽  
pp. R420-R426
Author(s):  
M. Inoue ◽  
J. T. Crofton ◽  
L. Share

We have examined in conscious rats the interaction between centrally acting prostanoids and acetylcholine in the stimulation of vasopressin secretion. The intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of carbachol (25 ng) resulted in marked transient increases in the plasma vasopressin concentration and mean arterial blood pressure and a transient reduction in heart rate. Central cyclooxygenase blockade by pretreatment icv with either meclofenamate (100 micrograms) or indomethacin (100 micrograms) virtually completely blocked these responses. Prostaglandin (PG) D2 (20 micrograms icv) caused transient increases in the plasma vasopressin concentration (much smaller than after carbachol) and heart rate, whereas mean arterial blood pressure rose gradually during the 15-min course of the experiment. Pretreatment with the muscarinic antagonist atropine (10 micrograms icv) decreased the peak vasopressin response to icv PGD2 by approximately one-third but had no effect on the cardiovascular responses. We conclude that the stimulation of vasopressin release by centrally acting acetylcholine is dependent on increased prostanoid biosynthesis. On the other hand, stimulation of vasopressin release by icv PGD2 is partially dependent on activation of a cholinergic pathway.


2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (02) ◽  
pp. 243-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunsook Kim ◽  
Jung-Hoon Cho ◽  
Woo Sang Jung ◽  
Sanghoon Lee ◽  
Sok Cheon Pak

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological complaint among young women that is related to an autonomic nervous system (ANS) disturbance. Acupuncture is one of several therapeutic approaches for primary dysmenorrhea, since it can modulate ANS function. The heart rate variability (HRV) parameters such as high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF) and LF/HF ratio are generally accepted tools to assess ANS activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acupuncture applied at Hegu (LI4) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) points on HRV of women with primary dysmenorrhea during the late luteal phase. The experimental design was a crossover and patient-blinded procedure. All subjects participated in Sham (SA) and Real Acupuncture (RA) procedure, separated by one month, in a crossover sequence. The participants included 38 women (mean age 22.3 years; weight 53.8 kg; height 162.6 cm). HRV measurement was 15 min before and 15 min after an acupuncture procedure. The RA procedure was performed at two bilateral acupoints, but needles were inserted subcutaneously to the acupuncture points for the SA procedure. The RA induced a significant decrease in LF/HF ratio and a significant increase in the HF power, while SA treatment caused a significant increase only in the HF power. Manual acupuncture at bilateral acupoints of LI4 and SP6 may play a role in dysmenorrhea treatment with autonomic nervous system involvement.


1989 ◽  
Vol 256 (6) ◽  
pp. H1573-H1579 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Madwed ◽  
P. Albrecht ◽  
R. G. Mark ◽  
R. J. Cohen

We have previously reported that low-frequency oscillations in arterial blood pressure (ABP) and heart rate (HR) occur when conscious dogs experience severe blood loss. These low-frequency oscillations are generated by enhancement of the sympathetic nervous system and inhibition of the parasympathetic nervous system. We have developed a simple computer model to elucidate those properties critical to the generation of these oscillations. Our model incorporates several important features: 1) arterial baroreceptor feedback loops, which relate ABP to targeted HR and total peripheral resistance (TPR) values; 2) two effector outputs, HR and TPR, which are controlled by the outputs of vagal, beta-adrenergic, and alpha-adrenergic effector mechanisms; 3) a fixed beat-to-beat stroke volume; and 4) a wind-kessel model, which represents the peripheral circulation. Each effector mechanism is modeled as a low-pass filter in series with a delay. The vagal effector mechanism slows the HR after a 100-ms delay and reaches maximal HR at that time. The beta-adrenergic effector mechanism speeds HR after a 2.5-s delay and then increases to maximal HR 7.5 s later. The alpha-adrenergic effector mechanism begins vasoconstriction after a 5-s delay and then reaches maximal contraction 15 s later. Computer simulations of inhibition of the vagal effector mechanism and activation of the adrenergic effector mechanisms elicit low-frequency oscillations in ABP and HR. These oscillations are similar to those observed experimentally in the dog during hemorrhage. We conclude that the slow temporal response of the alpha-adrenergic effector mechanism controlling TPR is the critical element in predicting the observed low-frequency oscillations in ABP and HR.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soichiro Kaneko ◽  
Masashi Watanabe ◽  
Shin Takayama ◽  
Takehiro Numata ◽  
Takashi Seki ◽  
...  

Objective. We investigated the relationship between superior mesenteric artery blood flow volume (SMA BFV) and autonomic nerve activity in acupuncture stimulation of lower limb points through heart rate variability (HRV) evaluations.Methods. Twenty-six healthy volunteers underwent crossover applications of bilateral manual acupuncture stimulation at ST36 or LR3 or no stimulation. Heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance index, SMA BFV, and HRV at rest and 30 min after the intervention were analyzed.Results. SMA BFV showed a significant increase after ST36 stimulation (0% to 14.1% ± 23.4%,P=0.007); very low frequency (VLF), high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF), and LF/HF were significantly greater than those at rest (0% to 479.4% ± 1185.6%,P=0.045; 0% to 78.9% ± 197.6%,P=0.048; 0% to 123.9% ± 217.1%,P=0.006; 0% to 71.5% ± 171.1%,P=0.039). Changes in HF and LF also differed significantly from those resulting from LR3 stimulation (HF: 78.9% ± 197.6% versus −18.2% ± 35.8%,P=0.015; LF: 123.9% ± 217.1% versus 10.6% ± 70.6%,P=0.013).Conclusion. Increased vagus nerve activity after ST36 stimulation resulted in increased SMA BFV. This partly explains the mechanism of acupuncture-induced BFV changes.


2001 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon R. Holmes ◽  
Michael J. Griffin

Heart rate has been reported to increase during nausea and has therefore been used as an indicator of motion sickness. However, the relationship between heart rate and subjective ratings of motion sickness has received little attention, and the autonomic origins of any increase in heart rate during motion sickness are unknown. Spectral analysis of heart rate variability can quantify the degree of sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation of the heart, as reflected by the low frequency (LF) power and high frequency (HF) power components, and the ratio of LF:HF power (“autonomic balance”). This experiment investigated changes in heart rate and heart rate variability prior to and during the development of nausea. Forty subjects (20 male, 20 female) sat within an optokinetic drum (a visual stimulus) rotating at 5 rpm for a maximum of 32 minutes. Heart rates, measures of heart rate variability, and ratings of sickness were recorded during a resting pre-exposure period and during optokinetic stimulation. Heart rates increased significantly with increasing subjective ratings of sickness (P < .001). This appeared to be attributable to a net increase in sympathetic stimulation of the heart, (P < .05). Sickness ratings were greater for females than males (P = .09), consistent with a significantly greater history of motion sickness reported by females than males over the previous 12 months (P < .02). The findings suggest that a simple measure of heart rate may be a useful indicator of small changes in the degree of sickness that can be of interest in motion sickness research.


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