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Responses of nitric oxide‐cGMP releases over acupuncture points to heat stimulation in humans
Author(s) -
Hu Jay,
Li Xiyan,
Saberon Lara,
Ma Shengxing
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.1154.11
Subject(s) - nitric oxide , stimulation , meridian (astronomy) , chemistry , acupuncture , nox , stimulus (psychology) , anesthesia , medicine , pathology , organic chemistry , psychology , physics , alternative medicine , astronomy , psychotherapist , combustion
The purpose of this study was to quantify nitric oxide (NO)‐cGMP concentrations over acupuncture points (acupoints) and to examine the influences of heat stimulation on NO‐cGMP releases over acupoints, meridian lines between acupoints, and non‐meridian controls in healthy volunteers. A semi‐circular plastic tube (0.5 X 7 cm) was taped to the skin surface along the Lung meridian (LU) and filled with a 2‐Phenyl‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐3‐oxide‐1‐oxyl solution. The solution was in contact with the skin surface for 20 minutes in order to absorb NO. A small warming pad (45 °C) with a probe sensor was wrapped around a finger for 20 min to measure the effects of heat. The concentrations of total nitrate and nitrite (NOx − ) and cGMP in the samples were quantified using chemiluminescence and ELISA in a blinded fashion, respectively. NOx − concentrations were significantly higher during and 20 min after heat stimulation compared to the non‐stimulated side (n=15). cGMP levels over acupoints of the LU meridian were also increased by heating, but not altered in non‐meridian control (n=10). The results show that heat stimuli predominantly release/generate NO‐cGMP on the skin surface at acupoints. We conclude that heat stimulus‐evoked NO‐cGMP release enhances local circulation at the acupoints, which may mediate signaling functions to attain therapeutic effects. Supported by NIH RO1 AT 002478 and ADA 7‐07‐RA‐100 to S. Ma.