[The role of collagen fiber in "Zusanli" (ST 36) in acupuncture analgesia in the rat].
OBJECTIVE
To probe into the mechanism of acupuncture analgesia.


METHODS
Type-I collagenase was injected to destroy the structure of collagen fibers in the acupoint. Paw withdrawing latency and mast cell degranulation rate in the acute adjuvant arthritis rat were investigated. Effects of acupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) with twirling or thrusting-lifting manipulation on acupuncture analgesia and mast cells were compared when the structures of collagen fibers in the acupoint were destroyed or not.


RESULTS
When the structures of collagen fiber were destroyed, the analgesic effects of both acupuncture manipulations were attenuated and the degranulation rate of mast cells caused by acupuncture were significantly inhibited.


CONCLUSIONS
Collagen fibers and mast cells in the acupoint play an important role in acupuncture analgesia. Collagen fibers participate in transmission and transform process of acupuncture signs from the acupoint to the target organ, and the degranulation of mast cells is positively correlated with acupuncture analgesia.
Yu
Xiao-jia
XJ
Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Ding
Guang-hong
GH
Yao
Wei
W
Zhan
Rui
R
Huang
Meng
M
D015667:Acupuncture Analgesia; D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000818:Animals; D015550:Cell Degranulation; D003094:Collagen / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D003094:Collagen