The effects of acupuncture on endocrine system, autonomic nervous system and cerebral function

(目的)针灸已广泛应用于临床治疗慢性疼痛。然而，针灸的作用机制尚不清楚。由于慢性疼痛与自主神经活动的改变有关，我们观察了针刺对自主神经活动的影响。(方法)10名健康成年志愿者参加研究。用心电图仪和眼压计测量心率(HR)和血压(BP)。在休息30分钟后记录控制值。针刺右臂合谷、寿三里穴30min。在针刺过程中和针刺后连续记录心率和血压。采用功率谱分析方法，对血压的低频功率(SBP-LF)和心率变异性的高频功率(HR-HF)进行分析。此外，我们还观察了针刺对唾液嗜铬粒蛋白A(CgA)分泌的影响，CgA是情绪应激的良好标志。结果针刺后SBP-LF降低，HR-HF升高。这些反应与SBP和HR的降低有关。CGA不受刺激穴位的影响，但受刺激假穴而增加。(讨论与结论)HR和SBP的降低是由于交感神经活动抑制所致。针刺合谷穴、寿三里穴可能会影响自主神经系统。

(Aims)Acupuncture has been widely Used in clinical practice for the management of chronic pain. However, the mechanism of acupuncture is not clear. Because chronic pain is associated with alteration of autonomic nervous activity, we evaluated the effects of acupuncture on autonomic nervous activity.(Methods)Ten healthy adult volunteers were enrolled in the study. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were measured using electrocardiograph and tonometry. Control values were recorded after a 30-minute rest. Then acupuncture was applied at Hegu (L14) and Shousanli (LI10) on the right arm for 30 minutes. HR and BP were recorded continuously during and after the acupuncture. We analyzed the low frequency power of systolic blood pressure (SBP-LF) and the high frequency power of HR variability (HR-HF) by power spectral analysis. Moreover, we examined the effect of acupuncture on salivary secretion of chromogranin A(CgA) that was the good marker of emotional stress. As sham Stimulation, we evaluated the influence to each variable when stimulating non-acupuncture points.(Results)After the acupuncture, SBP-LF is reduced and HR-HF increased. These responses were associated the reduction of SBP and HR. CgA was not affected by the stimulation to acupuncture points, however increased by the stimulation of sham point.(Discussion and conclusion)Reduction in HR and SBP resulted from suppressed sympathetic nervous activity. Acupuncture at Hegu point and Shousanli point may affect the autonomic nervous system.