Biull Eksp Biol Med. 1989 Mar; 107(3): 274-9.

[The DOPA and dopamine content in the hypothalamus and brain stem of rats with an experimental stomach ulcer against a background of a course of acupuncture]

Emel'ianenko IV, Bragin EO.

In experiments on rats with experimental ulcer of the stomach (EUS) using spectrofluorometric method the increase of DOPA and dopamine (DA) in brain stem, has been revealed as well as DOPA in hypothalamus. Change of the level of DOPA takes place at an early stage of ulcer formation. Acupuncture (AP) inserts essential corrections into the distribution of catecholamines under study. So, the content of DOPA and DA in hypothalamus and particularly in the brain stem in rats with EUS against the background of AP sharply increases. It has been supposed that AP realizes its therapeutic influence during ulcer disease due to the alteration of catecholaminergic brain system.