Traditional Acupuncture Triggers a Local Increase in Adenosine in Human Subjects

Abstract

Acupuncture is a form of Eastern medicine that has been practiced for centuries. Despite its long history and worldwide application, the biological mechanisms of acupuncture in relieving pain have been poorly defined. Recent studies in mice, however, demonstrate that acupuncture triggers increases in interstitial adenosine, which reduces the severity of chronic pain through adenosine A1 receptors, suggesting that adenosine-mediated antinociception contributes to the clinical benefits of acupuncture. We asked here whether acupuncture in human subjects is also linked to a local increase in interstitial adenosine concentration. We collected microdialysis samples of interstitial fluid before, during, and after delivering 30 minutes of conventional acupuncture in the Zusanli point in human subjects. The interstitial adenosine concentration increased significantly during acupuncture and remained elevated for 30 minutes after the acupuncture. Acupuncture-mediated adenosine release was not observed if acupuncture was not delivered in the Zusanli point or if the acupuncture needle was inserted, but not rotated. This study strengthens the role of adenosine in acupuncture-mediated antinociception by directly providing such evidence in humans.

Peripheral and Spinal Mechanisms of Pain and Dry Needling Mediated Analgesia: A Clinical Resource Guide for Health Care Professionals

“…However, consistent with Wu et al, Takano et al noted that ATP release secondary to DN is not observed without needle manipulation. In the absence of ATP, intracellular CWP and A1 adenosine receptor stimulation is not possible, and the analgesic effects of DN are lost [96]. These findings support the commonly held belief that needle insertion is not enough to relieve pain ( Figure 3) [96].…”

“…Takano et al also performed DN at ST36 for 30-minutes, during which the needle was rotated bilaterally to elicit de qi every 5-minutes and found a significant increase in interstitial adenosine [96]. Previous studies have linked activation of A1 adenosine receptors located on nerve endings [97], afferent nerves [98] and pre-synaptic DRG terminals [99] with anti-nociception.…”

“…Previous studies have linked activation of A1 adenosine receptors located on nerve endings [97], afferent nerves [98] and pre-synaptic DRG terminals [99] with anti-nociception. As G-protein coupled receptors, A1 receptor activation is thought to work by inhibiting adenylyl cyclase, attenuating Camp and phospholipase C [96]. Since an increase in Camp is associated with chronic pain, the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase is noteworthy [96].…”

“…As G-protein coupled receptors, A1 receptor activation is thought to work by inhibiting adenylyl cyclase, attenuating Camp and phospholipase C [96]. Since an increase in Camp is associated with chronic pain, the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase is noteworthy [96]. Given that opioids also inhibit adenylyl cyclase, there may be a link between adenosine A1 receptors and opioid receptors, suggesting that activation of one may result in analgesia support from the other [100].…”

Az egészségügy és a mágikus gondolkodás viszonya

“…És nemcsak Kínában, ahol Mao elnök szava parancs volt: az Egyesült Államokban és Európá-ban is egyre inkább elterjedt az alternatív medicina, amelynek zászlóshajója az akupunktúra volt. Sok vita folyt arról a hatásmechanizmusról, amely révén az akupunktúra kifejthette hatását [10], a legfrissebb kutatások például az adenozin szerepét mutatták ki [11]: a tűnek a Zusanli pontban való megfelelő manipulálása esetén a szövetközi nedvben az adenozin helyi koncentrációjának növekedését mutatták ki -ami fájdalomcsillapító hatású.…”