Effect of Acupuncture at LR3 on Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in a Rat Model of Hypertension: A ¹⁸F‐FDG‐PET Study

Abstract

Our objective was to investigate the effect of acupuncture at LR3 on cerebral glucose metabolism in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). We used 18F-2-fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) to examine the effects of acupuncture at LR3 on cerebral glucose metabolism in SHRs. SHRs were randomly allocated to receive no treatment (SHR group), needling at LR3 (SHR + LR3 group), or sham needling (SHR + sham group). Rats received 10 min acupuncture once per day for 7 days and were compared to normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Blood pressure (BP) measurement and PET were performed after the first needling and the 7-day treatment period. BP was lower in the SHR + LR3 group compared to the other SHR groups between 30 and 60 min after the first needling and at 24 and 48 h after the 7-day treatment period. Glucose metabolism in the motor, sensory, and visual cortices was decreased in SHR group compared to WKY group. Needling at LR3 was associated with decreased glucose metabolism in the dorsal thalamus, thalamus, and hypothalamus and with increased metabolism in the cerebellar anterior and posterior lobes, medulla oblongata, and sensory cortex compared to the SHR group. These findings suggest that LR3 acupuncture improves hypertension through a mechanism involving altered brain activation in SHRs.

Gene-Level Regulation of Acupuncture Therapy in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: A Whole Transcriptome Analysis

“…Consistent with previous studies, we selected LR3 and found that acupuncture significantly decreased the SBP, MBP, and HR in SHRs compared with WKYs, without any impact on normal BP. Moreover, some imaging studies showed that the effects of acupuncture on BP might involve altered cerebral or urinary metabolism [25, 26]. The molecular mechanism may be due to an increase in antioxidant enzyme in medulla according to a proteomic study [27].…”

A Part of the Medial Branch of the Deep Peroneal Nerve Distributes the Dorsal Pedis Artery and Its Distribution Area is Close to the Acupuncture Point LR3 (Taichong)

“…LR3 is in the Jueyin Liver Meridian of the Foot, a special acupuncture source point that has been used to relieve stress, headache, dizziness, and eyestrain. Stimulation of LR3 specifically activates areas in the brain [14], alters cerebral glucose metabolism in the hypothalamus [15], increases blood flow in the skin [16], and is used for treating peripheral circulatory failure in the foot, i.e., Raynaud's phenomenon [17,18]. According to Omole et al, stimulation of LI4 improves pain severity, joint stiffness, and the color of the fingers and toes [19].…”

Efeitos imediatos da terapia auricular em indivíduos hipertensos de uma unidade de pronto atendimento

“…A acupuntura não só diminuiu a PA, como também alterou metabolismo cerebral da glicose no hipotálamo, tálamo, medula oblonga e cerebelo. (28) Uma revisão de literatura concluiu que a acupuntura pode influenciar principalmente em fatores relacionados ao sistema nervoso, estresse oxidativo, sistema endócrino, função cardiovascular e fluxo sanguíneo em ratos hipertensos. Esses resultados podem indicar que a acupuntura é capaz de prevenir complicações por essas vias quando usada no tratamento da HAS.…”