Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 1993 ; 18(4): 267-70.

[Influence of electroacupuncture on electrical activity of dorsal horn neurons of the thoracic spinal cord in the rabbit]

Liu J, Han Z, Chen S, Cao Q.

Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of TCM, Beijing.

In the present paper, influence of electroacupuncture (EA) on electrical activity of neurons of dorsal horns of T2-T3 spinal segments was analysed in chloralose-urethane anesthetized rabbits. Results were: 1). after EA of "Neiguan" (PC 6), of the 31 dorsal horn neurons, 11 increased significantly in their firing rate, 4 decreased obviously and other 16 had no marked change; 2). after EA of "Zusanli" (ST 36), of the 28 neurons, only 2 increased significantly in firing rate, 14 decreased and other 12 had no clear change; 3). of the 6 neurons which all responded to EA of "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Zusanli" (ST 36), 5 were excited by "Neiguan" (PC 6) and suppressed by "Zusanli (ST 36); the other one was inhibited by both; 4). the receptive field on the body surface and physiological types of 18 neurons were also examined. The results indicate that information from EA of "Neiguan" and "Zusanli" can converge to the neurons of dorsal horns of T2-T3 spinal cord, and different acupoints have a relative specificity.