Sensory and autonomic innervation of the local tissues at traditional acupuncture point locations GB14, ST2 and ST6

Abstract

Objective: To visualize and compare the sensory and autonomic innervation of the local tissues at the sites of different traditional acupuncture points in the rat forehead and face by histochemical examination. Methods: GB14 ( Yangbai), ST2 ( Sibai) and ST6 ( Jiache) were selected as the representative traditional acupuncture points in this study, and the local tissues at these sites were dissected in rats after perfusion followed by double or triple fluorescent histochemical staining. Here, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) were used to label the sensory, sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers, respectively. Results: The CGRP+ sensory, TH+ sympathetic and VAChT+ parasympathetic nerve fibers were simultaneously demonstrated in the local tissues at GB14, ST2 and ST6. Although the three kinds of nerve fibers ran in parallel or intermingled with each other, by the analysis from the view of three-dimensional reconstruction, it was clear that each of them distributed in an independent pattern to their corresponding target tissues including the blood vessels, hair follicles, arrector pili and subcutaneous muscles, as well as sebaceous glands. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the sensory and autonomic innervation of the local tissues at GB14, ST2 and ST6, providing neurochemical evidence indicating that the CGRP+ sensory, TH+ sympathetic and VAChT+ parasympathetic nerve fibers form a neural network at these point locations that may respond to acupuncture stimulation.

The immunolocalization of cluster of differentiation 31, phalloidin and alpha smooth muscle actin on vascular network of normal and ischemic rat brain

“…The former can catch the overall view of tissue section and the latter can take the clear image from the thick tissue 29 , 30 . Taking these advantages, we can simultaneously obtain the labeling information from two dimensions to three dimensions 29 , 30 . Based on this consideration, the regional characteristics of gP-CD31 labeling were firstly assessed together with fluorescent Nissl in the healthy and I/R rat brains.…”

“…In line with this field, we adopted the techniques of panoramic tissue slice scanner and laser scanning confocal microscope in this study. The former can catch the overall view of tissue section and the latter can take the clear image from the thick tissue 29 , 30 . Taking these advantages, we can simultaneously obtain the labeling information from two dimensions to three dimensions 29 , 30 .…”

The immunolocalization of cluster of differentiation 31, phalloidin and alpha smooth muscle actin on vascular network of normal and ischemic rat brain

“…In line with this eld, we adopted the techniques of panoramic tissue slice scanner and laser scanning confocal microscope in this study. The former can catch the overall view of tissue section and the latter can take the clear image from the thick tissue 29,30 . Taking these advantages, we can simultaneously obtain the labeling information from two dimensions to three dimensions 29,30 .…”

“…The former can catch the overall view of tissue section and the latter can take the clear image from the thick tissue 29,30 . Taking these advantages, we can simultaneously obtain the labeling information from two dimensions to three dimensions 29,30 . Based on this consideration, the regional characteristics of gP-CD31 labeling were rstly assessed together with uorescent Nissl in the healthy and I/R rat brain.…”