Haemodynamic Changes in the Superior Mesenteric Artery Induced by Acupuncture Stimulation on the Lower Limbs

Abstract

Acupuncture is commonly performed on acupoints. A comparison of quantitative physiological alterations induced by stimulation on different acupoints has never been performed in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in humans. Therefore, we investigated changes in blood flow volume (BFV) in the SMA as an indicator of physiological effects induced by stimulation on 3 points. Thirty healthy participants aged 29 ± 10 years (mean ± SD) were enrolled. All participants underwent stimulations on 3 points located in the lower legs: ST36, LR3, and a non-acupoint. Control pertains to a condition with no-stimulation. Stimulation was performed bilaterally with manual rotation of the needles. BFV was measured by ultrasonography before insertion and 10, 20, 30, and 60 minutes after stimulation. Following acupuncture on ST36, BFV increased significantly 20 and 30 minutes after stimulation, compared to BFV before insertion (P < 0.05). Following stimulation on LR3 and the non-acupoint, no significant differences in BFV could be found. Relative to the no-stimulation group, stimulation on LR3, and the non-acupoint, stimulation on ST36 elicited a significant increase in BFV (P < 0.05). The results suggest that stimulation on the different points causes distinct physiological effects in BFV in the SMA.

Application of Traditional Medical Ideas to Geriatric Syndrome

“…We have been investigating new treatment methods using ideas of TM 2 Advances in Geriatrics for geriatric syndrome, such as for aspiration pneumonia, gait disorders, glaucoma, and bowel symptoms [8][9][10][11][12]; we evaluated the effects of treatment on the basis of blood flow volume determined using an ultrasound scan [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. We also developed noninvasive therapeutic equipment suitable for daily treatment of the elderly [21][22][23][24][25][26][27].…”

“…After fasting overnight, the participants consumed the test meal within 5 minutes in a sitting position. The radioactivity was measured over the whole abdomen for 60 seconds at 0 (immediately after the meal), 10,20,30,40,50,60,90, and 120 minutes after the meal. During measurements, each participant was placed in front of a gamma camera in a standing position.…”

“…Watanabe et al 2012 [20]. This study addressed the question of whether stimulation on different acupoints changes blood flow volume (BFV) in superior mesenteric artery (SMA).…”

“…Furthermore, it was shown using ultrasound diagnostic equipment that local thermal stimulation, oral administration of Daikenchu-to, and acupuncture stimulation of ST36 change blood flow in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) to a similar extent (Table 4) [16,20].…”

“…Acupuncture stimulation of ST36, HTCD treatment of the paraumbilical region, and the herbal medicine Dai-kenchu-to are different approaches, but all of them increase blood flow volume in SMA (Table 6) [16,20]. Herbal medicine Banxia Houpo Tang, acupuncture, and TES on ST36 and KI3 improve LTSR and may prevent aspiration pneumonia [8,12,36].…”