Am J Chin Med. 1991 ; 19(3-4): 189-97.

Acupuncture to the skin induces release of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide from peripheral terminals of primary sensory neurons in the rat.

Kashiba H, Ueda Y.

Department of Physiology, Kansai College of Acupuncture Medicine, Osaka, Japan.

We immunohistochemically examined the short term effects of electro-acupuncture (E-acupuncture) to the skin on substance P (SP)- and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) containing primary sensory neurons in the rat. Immunoreactivity to SP and CGRP in these neurons at the treatment site decreased after 30 min of E-acupuncture. These results suggest that E-acupuncture induces release of SP and CGRP from peripheral terminals of primary sensory neurons.