Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 1989 ; 14(4): 463-7.

[Influence of electroacupuncture on ACh content and AChE activity in the spinal ganglia of rat]

Zhang YW, Zhang NN, Qian H, Liu XC, Guan XM.

The spinal ganglion a cell body storage of somatic primary-sensory neurons, is considered as an important region for neurochemical research of primary afferent nerves. The present experiment aims at the observation on the Ach content and its changes in the ganglia of 128 rats by means of biochemical methods under the effect of administration of Neostigmini and application of electroacupuncture. It is found that there are evidence of existence of Ach in the ganglia and when the AchE activity in the periphery nerve system is inhibited, the Ach content of ganglia rose. In addition, during acupuncture (applied at acupoint "Huantiao") analgesia, no apparent changes of Ach content can be visualized in spinal ganglia, however, the level of AchE activity goes up evidently. The foregoing results indicate that in the somatic primary-sensory neuron Ach is one of important neurotransmitters which may influence and take part in the transmission of sensory information through primary afferent nerves.