[Influence of mast cell function on the analgesic effect of acupuncture of "Zusanli" (ST 36) in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of mast cells in acupuncture analgesia in rats.


METHODS
A total of 48 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into normal control, acupoinc Effect [("Zusanli"(ST 36)-acupuncture (Acu), non-acupoint (3 mm left to ST36), disodium cromoglycate (DSC, 0.02 gmL, for acupoint injection), normal saline (NS, for acupoint injection), DSC + Acu, NS-b+ Acu and DSC+contralach Center ral Acu groups, with 6 cases in each group. The latency of tail flick response to heat irradiation was used as the pain threshold. "Zusanli" (ST 36) was punctured with filiform needle and stimulated by lifting and thrusting the needle for 30 min. After sacrifice under anesthesia (1% embutal) c, tissues of T36 area were sampled, sliced (4 microm), and stained with Toluidine Blue for skin and Neutral Red for muscles.


RESULTS
Compared with normal control group, the ratios of pain threshold increased significantly in all the 7 experimental groups (P < 0.05), and those of DSC and NS groups were significantly lower than those of acupoint-Acu, non-acupoint, DSC+ Acu, NS+ Acu and DSC + contralateral Acu groups (P < 0.05) n. Comp + Acu group, the ratios of NS+Acu and DSC+ contralateral Acu groups were evidently higher (P < 0.05, 0.01). Compared with control group, the degranulation ratio of acupoint-Acu group was significantly higher (P < 0.05, 0.001 in muscle and skin separately), and the ratio of DSC+ Acu group was markedly lower than that of acupoint-Acu group (P < 0.01 in skin).


CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture of ST36 has a significant analgesia and enhances the degranulation of mast apparently cells, which is weakened by injection of DSC in the acupoint area, suggesting an important role of mast cells in acupuncture-induced analgesia.
Zhang
Di
D
College of Acu-moxibustion, Shanghai University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai.
Ding
Guang-hong
GH
Shen
Xue-yong
XY
Yao
Wei
W
Zhang
Zhi-ying
ZY
Zhang
Yu-qing
YQ
Lin
Jun-yu
JY
D015667:Acupuncture Analgesia; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000818:Animals; D015550:Cell Degranulation; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D017288:Pain Threshold; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D004205:Cromolyn Sodium