OBJECTIVE

To observe the effects of acupuncture at acupoints and non-acupoints on the subcutaneous nitric oxide (NO) content and skin electric conduction quantity.

METHODS

A total of 40 healthy volunteers (half males and half females at ages of 25-45 years) signed informed consent for detection of NO (n=20) contents and skin electric conduction quantity (electric current, EC, n=20) of the acupoint and non-acupoint area. The two series of 20 subjects were equally randomized into acupuncture group and non-acupuncture group, respectively. Jianshi (PC 5), Chengshan (BL 57) were punctured with filiform needles, with the needles twirled for 2 min and retained for 20 min. Dermal electric current were detected by using Dermatron (electrodermal screening device), and NO contents in the microdialysis fluid collected from the subcutaneous tissues of Ximen (PC 4), Chengjin (BL 56) and non-acupoints 1.0 approximately 1.5 cm lateral to PC 4 and BL 56 were detected by chemiluminescence technique.

RESULTS

(1) NO contents of PC 4, BL 56 and two non-acupoint regions in acupuncture group were all significantly higher than those of two acupoints and two non-acupoints in non-acupuncture group (P<0.05). In acupuncture group, the NO contents of both PC 4 and BL 56 were strikingly higher than those of two non-acupoints (P<0.05). In non-acupuncture group there were no significant differences between PC 4 and non-acupoint and between BL 56 and non-acupoint (P>0.05). (2) The skin electric current values of PC 4 and BL 56 were significantly higher than those of two corresponding non-acupoints in both acupuncture and non-acupuncture groups (P<0.05). Following acupuncture stimulation, an increasing tendency was found in the electric current in comparison with non-acupuncture group but without significance (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Acupuncture stimulation can upregulate dermal NO content and and the skin electric current of acupoint region was significantly higher than that of non-acupoint in healthy subjects, suggesting an increase of potential activity after acupuncture.