• Lai-xi Ji, Li-ping Yan, Hai-jun Wang, Liang Li, Wei He, Hui Ben, and Bing Zhu.
• Department of Acu-moxibustion, Shanxi College of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China. jlaixi@yahoo.com.cn
• Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2009 Feb 1; 34 (1): 27-30.

ObjectiveTo compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of "Gastric Problem Formula" ["Neiguan" (PC 6), "Zhongwan" (CV 12) and "Zusanli" (ST 36)] on electrical activities of neurons of medullary subnucleus reticularis dorsalis (SRD) of the rat.MethodsExperiments were performed on SD rats anesthetized by 10% urethane (1.0-1.5 g/kg). Under artificial ventilation and immobilization (2% gallamine triethiodide, 5 ml/kg), extracelluar discharges were recorded by glass micropipettes inserted into SRD of the medulla (Caudal to the Obex: - 1.0 - -2.0 mm, L/R= 0.5-1.5 mm, H: 0.6- 1.5 mm below the medullary surface). Following getting stable recordings, the acupuncture needle inserted in "Neiguan" (PC 6) was manipulated moderately (twisting range: 120 degrees, frequency = 80 times/min) for 30 s. The same manipulation was performed at "Zhongwan" (CV 12) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) separately.ResultsAfter moderate acupuncture stimulation, in the recorded 13 SRD neurons, the discharges were increased from (1.67 +/- 0.35) spikes/s to (17.55 +/- 1.40) spikes/s for "Neiguan" (PC 6), from (2.35 +/- 0.43) spikes/s to (16.96 +/- 1.83) spikes/s for "Zhongwan" (CV 12), and from (1.83 +/- 0.37) spikes/s to (17.39 +/- 1.58) spikes/s for "Zusanli" (ST 36). No apparent differences were found among 3 acupoints in their responses to manual manipulation.ConclusionModerate acupuncture stimulation of "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Zhongwan" (CV 12) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) can effectively activate spontaneous discharges of SRD neurons in the rat.

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