[Effect of nitric oxide on noradrenergic function and skin electric resistance of acupoints and meridians].
Most acupuncture points correspond to low skin-resistance points (LSRP) on the body surface along the meridians. We did three experiments which conformed that the skin nitric oxide (NO) concentration and expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthesis (nNOS) were higher than those in non-acupoints, and non-meridian control points. Noradrenaline (NE) synthesis/release was modulated by exogenous NO donor and selective inhibitor of nNOS in the skin acupoints/meridians. Skin electrical currents in low skin resistance points were modified by L-arginine-derived NO synthesis and NE. As a conclusion, NO-NE contribute to low resistance characteristics of acupoints and meridians.
Liang
Yuan
Y
School of Fundamental Medical Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China.
Ma
Sheng-Xing
SX
Chen
Jia-Xu
JX
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D017097:Electric Impedance; D006801:Humans; D016740:Meridians; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D009638:Norepinephrine