J Tradit Chin Med. 2000 Mar; 20(1): 26-9.

The time-effect relationship of central action in acupuncture treatment for weight reduction.

Zhao M, Liu Z, Su J.

Second Clinical College of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy.

PURPOSE: To study the time-effect relationship of action of acupuncture on the satiety center of ventromedial nucleus of hypothalamus (VMH) in rats with experimental obesity. METHODS: Microelectrode recording method of nerve cells and stereotaxic technique for brain were adopted with discharge frequency (Hz/s) of nerve impulse in VMH as the index, and the time-effect of acupuncture action in different periods between groups were observed. RESULTS: Electric activity in acupuncture group was higher than in the obesity model group (P < 0.001) and the normal group (P < 0.01) respectively, and the curve of acupuncture action within 2 hours showed irregular fluctuation. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can increase excitability of the satiety center, with a better long-term effect.