Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 1994 ; 19(1): 8-10.

[Effects of electrical stimulation of S II and electroacupuncture on contents of some free amino acids in the precruciate cortex]

Wang Y, Dong X, Wang S.

Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chian Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing.

Effects of electrical stimulation of the somatosensory area II (S II) of the cerebral cortex and electroacupuncture (EA) on contents of r-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamic acid (Glu), aspartic acid (Asp) and alanine (Ala) in the precruciate cortex (PreCtx) were investigated in order to probe if the free amino acids in the preCtx are involved in the S II descending modulation and acupuncture analgesia. Adult cats were randomly divided into four groups: control, EA, electrical stimulation of S II and stimulation of S II plus EA. EA was applied at right Huantiao and Yanglingquan acupoints for 30 min and electrical stimulation was given on the S II surface. Amino acids were separated by paper chromatography and determined with spectrophotometry. Results showed that the stimulation of S II or/and EA had no significant effects on the contents of GABA, Glu, Asp and Ala in the PreCtx, indicating that the four amino acids are probably not involved in regulatory effects of EA and the stimulation of S II on the PreCtx.