Effects of Acupuncture at Zu-San-Li (ST36) on the Activity of the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis during Ethanol Withdrawal in Rats

Abstract

The current study investigated the effects of acupuncture at Zu-San-Li (ST36) on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during ethanol withdrawal in rats. Rats were intraperitoneally treated with 3 g/kg/day of ethanol or saline for 28 days. Following 24 hours of ethanol withdrawal, acupuncture was applied at bilateral ST36 points or non-acupoints (tail) for 1 minute. Plasma levels of corticosterone (CORT) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA), and the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) protein levels in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus were also examined by RIA 20 minutes after the acupuncture treatment. RIA showed significantly increased plasma levels of CORT and ACTH in the ethanol-withdrawn rats compared with the saline-treated rats, which were inhibited significantly by the acupuncture at the acupoint ST36 but not at the non-acupoint. Additionally, ethanol withdrawal promoted CRF protein expressions in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, which were also blocked by the acupuncture at ST36. These findings suggest that acupuncture at the specific acupoint ST36 can inhibit ethanol withdrawal-induced hyperactivation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and it may be mediated via the modulation of hypothalamic CRF.

Hypothalamic Norepinephrine Mediates Acupunctural Effects on Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis During Ethanol Withdrawal

“…The present study also found that the increase in NE levels and utilization was effectively inhibited by prior acupuncture treatment at ST36. This result is consistent with the inhibitory effect of acupuncture at ST36 on the hyperactivation of the HPA during EW shown by the recent study [12]. Given that NE is a major secretagogue for CRF in the PVN, it can be concluded that acupuncture treatment at ST36 attenuates the EW-induced hyperactivation of the HPA axis triggered by increased PVN CRF activity via inhibiting the PVN NEergic activity.…”

“…The simultaneous hyperactivation of NE and CRF in the central nervous system during EW has also been demonstrated in our previous studies showing elevated activation in both amygdaloid NE and CRF during EW [8,9]. Additionally, in a recently published study, we also reported increased CRF protein expression in the rat PVN 24 hours after cessation of ethanol administration [12]. In the present study, we consistently observed markedly increased concentrations of NE and MHPG in the PVN during EW.…”

“…In the previous study, we demonstrated that acupuncture at acupoint ST36 attenuated EW-induced hyperactivation of the HPA via modulation of hypothalamic CRF [12]. In the present study, we found markedly increased NE and MHPG levels in the PVN 24 hours after the termination of 28 days of ethanol administration; this was prevented by acupuncture treatment at ST36 but not at the nonacupoint.…”

“…Recently, we reported that acupuncture at ST36 inhibited EW-induced hyperactivation of the HPA axis via the modulation of hypothalamic CRF [12]. Given the important role of hypothalamic NE in the regulation of the HPA response to ethanol, the present study evaluated the possible involvement of the hypothalamic NE system in the acupunctural modulation of HPA activity during EW.…”

Stimulation in Acupoint St-36 and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Reduce Il-6 in Anxiety Disorders

“…ST-36 is the He-Sea point on the "stomach" of the meridian (ST) which strengthens "Qi" and "blood," aligning and strengthening the "spleen" and "stomach," and ultimately strengthening the body. The ST-36 point is believed to be related to elements of the earth that are related to emotions such as anxiety and stress; Therefore, ST-36 is widely used to treat psychological / mental disorders (Zhao et al, 2014).…”