The time-effect relationship of central action in acupuncture treatment for weight reduction

J Tradit Chin Med. 2000 Mar;20(1):26-9.

Abstract

Purpose: To study the time-effect relationship of action of acupuncture on the satiety center of ventromedial nucleus of hypothalamus (VMH) in rats with experimental obesity.

Methods: Microelectrode recording method of nerve cells and stereotaxic technique for brain were adopted with discharge frequency (Hz/s) of nerve impulse in VMH as the index, and the time-effect of acupuncture action in different periods between groups were observed.

Results: Electric activity in acupuncture group was higher than in the obesity model group (P < 0.001) and the normal group (P < 0.01) respectively, and the curve of acupuncture action within 2 hours showed irregular fluctuation.

Conclusion: Acupuncture can increase excitability of the satiety center, with a better long-term effect.

MeSH terms

  • Acupuncture Therapy*
  • Animals
  • Electroacupuncture*
  • Electrophysiology
  • Male
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Obesity / physiopathology
  • Obesity / therapy*
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Time Factors
  • Ventromedial Hypothalamic Nucleus / physiopathology*
  • Weight Loss*