Effects of Electroacupuncture at ‘Anmian (Extra)’ Acupoints on Sleep Activities in Rats: The Implication of the Caud al Nucleus tractus solitarius

Abstract

Electroacupuncture (EAc) possesses a broad therapeutic effect, including improvement of sleep disturbances. The mechanism of sleep improvement with EAc, however, is still unclear. The present study investigated the effects of EAc stimulation of ‘Anmian (extra)’ acupoints on sleep organization and the implication of an active structure, the caudal nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). Rats were implanted with electroencephalogram (EEG) recording electrodes, and 32-gauge acupuncture needles were bilaterally inserted into ‘Anmian (extra)’ acupoints in the rats, followed by electrical stimulation for 20 min. Twenty-three-hour continuous EEGs were then recorded. Results showed that rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) was enhanced during the dark period when a single EAc stimulation was given 25 min prior to the onset of the dark period. REMS and slow-wave sleep (SWS) increased during the dark period after administration of EAc stimuli on 2 consecutive days. Electrical stimulation of non-acupoints produced no change in the sleep pattern. Pharmacological blockade of muscarinic cholinergic receptors by systemic administration of scopolamine dose-dependently attenuated EAc-induced changes in REMS and SWS. Furthermore, electrical lesions in the bilateral caudal NTS produced significant blockade of EAc-induced sleep enhancement. However, in rats without EAc, scopolamine increased SWS during the dark period, but caudal NTS lesions did not alter sleep. In addition, neither EAc nor scopolamine with EAc manipulation produced any change in the slow-wave activity (SWA) during SWS; however, the SWA during SWS was significantly reduced after caudal NTS lesion with EAc. These results suggest that the caudal NTS may be involved in the regulation of EAc-induced sleep alterations.

Effects of dexmedetomidine administered at acupuncture point GV20 compared to intramuscular route in dogs

“…Needle placement at specific anatomical points may produce sedative and anxiolytic effects (Fassoulaki et al , Paraskeva et al , Yi et al , Kim & Nam , Kim et al ) that might involve the opioid and the adrenergic systems (Sher , Kim & Seo ) as well as endogenous neurotransmitter release (Fassoulaki et al , Kim & Seo ). Stimulation of the acupuncture points Governing Vessel 20 (GV20) and Yintang can induce sedation in humans (Litscher , Paraskeva et al , Kim & Seo ).…”

Did ‘the Princess on the Pea— Suffer from Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

“…[37][38][39] Clinical studies have demonstrated that acupuncture may influence the ability to sleep and to ameliorate insomnia. 40 In an experimental study by Yi and collaborators, 41 it was reported that electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of Anmian (extra points) resulted in increased REMs and SWS. Pharmacological blockade of muscarinic cholinergic receptors by systemic administration of scopolamine dose dependently attenuated EA induced changes in REMs and SWS and bilateral lesions of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) blocked the EA induced sleep enhancement.…”

Alterations in Gut Microbiota and Upregulations of VPAC2 and Intestinal Tight Junctions Correlate with Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Electroacupuncture in Colitis Mice with Sleep Fragmentation

“…In terms of subjective sleep performance, it can shorten the time to fall asleep, increase sleep efficiency, improve sleep length and quality, and reduce the symptoms associated with insomnia [ 26 ]. In animal experiments, stimulating rats’ Anmian points with electroacupuncture (EA) at night can specifically increase nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep without affecting rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which involves the induction of cholinergic activity in nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) [ 27 ] and the stimulation of opioid neurons, which in turn increases the concentration of β-endorphins and the participation of μ-opioid receptors [ 28 ]. Acupuncture can alleviate autonomic nervous system disorders and decrease inflammation through the parasympathetic nerve, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis), and other mechanisms, but the effect of acupuncture on intestinal microbes is unknown.…”