Laser stimulating ST36 with optical fiber induce blood component changes in mice: a Raman spectroscopy study

Abstract

ST36 is a commonly-used acupoint in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treatment of inflammations, pains and gastrointestinal disturbs. For decades, the low power laser acupuncture has been widely applied as an alternative therapy to traditional metal needle acupuncture and achieved relatively fine therapeutic effect for ST36-related symptoms with reduction of uncomfortableness and infection risks. However its disadvantages of low penetrativity and lack of manipulation skills limit its potential performance. An optical fiber laser acupuncture introduced by the previous study combines traditional needling acupuncture and the laser stimulation together, making a stronger therapeutic effect and showing a potential value in clinical application. To evaluate its acupunctural effect on blood, mice are taken as experimental model and Raman spectroscopic technique is used to analysis the changes of blood components after stimulating on ST36. The results show that both the traditional needling acupuncture and optical fiber acupuncture could lead to some spectral changes of blood in mice. This study explores the optical fiber acupuncture's effect on blood in mice using Raman spectroscopy technique for mechanism of acupuncture therapy.

The Application of Laser Acupuncture in Animal Experiments: A Narrative Review of Biological Aspects

“…Frederico et al [ 23 ] indicated that laser irradiation could interfere with the metabolism of the thyroid, which caused increased absorption of radiopharmaceutical Na99mTcO4 in rats. To enhance the stimulating effect of LA, Zhang et al [ 24 ] inserted an optical fiber needle into ST-36 of mice and observed blood changes with Raman spectroscopic technique. A low concentration of porphyrin, NADH, lipid, and glucose accompanied by a high concentration of phosphatidylinositol in blood was found after applying optical fiber acupuncture.…”