title: The influence of PC6 on cardiovascular disorders: a review of central neural mechanisms.
abstract: PC6 is a classic acupuncture point in traditional Chinese medicine. It is considered to be effective when treating cardiovascular disorders. In the present review the authors have focused on the neurophysiological bases of the effects of PC6 stimulation on cardiovascular mechanisms. Experimental studies have shown that the hypothalamic rostral ventrolateral medulla, arcuate nucleus and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray are involved in acupuncture attenuation of sympathoexcitatory cardiovascular reflex responses. This long-loop pathway also appears to contribute to the long-lasting, acupuncture-mediated attenuation of sympathetic premotor outflow and excitatory cardiovascular reflex responses. Acupuncture of PC6 modulates the activity in the cardiovascular system, an effect that may be attributed to attenuation of sympathoexcitatory cardiovascular reflex responses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430061, China.
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zebin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Fengxia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D009434:Neural Pathways; D012018:Reflex; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*