Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of gastric distention (GD) and acupuncture at three different acupoints on the spontaneous discharge of neurons in the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN), and to clarify the specific function of the MVN in the central integration mechanism underlying acupuncture regulation.
METHODS: GD was conducted using a balloon inserted in the stomach cavity, and acupuncture was performed separately at each of three acupoints: Zusanli (ST 36), Quchi (LI 11), and Weishu (BL 21). The effect of acupuncture and GD on the spontaneous discharge of MVN neurons was assessed using a glass microelectrode filled with a sodium acetate electrolyte solution containing 1% pontamine sky blue; the discharge signals from the neurons were amplified by the microelectrode amplifier and recorded in the Spike2 system.
RESULTS: GD and acupuncture significantly affected the spontaneous discharge of MVN neurons. Furthermore, acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) and Weishu (BL 21) was significantly more effective at altering the discharge of GD-responsive MVN neurons compared with GD-nonresponsive neurons.
CONCLUSIONS: GD and acupuncture at three different acupoints affected the electrical activity of MVN neurons. The MVN is involved in the central integration mechanism underlying acupuncture regulation of gastric functions. The effects of acupuncture on gastric function may therefore be mediated via these particular MVN neurons.
METHODS: GD was conducted using a balloon inserted in the stomach cavity, and acupuncture was performed separately at each of three acupoints: Zusanli (ST 36), Quchi (LI 11), and Weishu (BL 21). The effect of acupuncture and GD on the spontaneous discharge of MVN neurons was assessed using a glass microelectrode filled with a sodium acetate electrolyte solution containing 1% pontamine sky blue; the discharge signals from the neurons were amplified by the microelectrode amplifier and recorded in the Spike2 system.
RESULTS: GD and acupuncture significantly affected the spontaneous discharge of MVN neurons. Furthermore, acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) and Weishu (BL 21) was significantly more effective at altering the discharge of GD-responsive MVN neurons compared with GD-nonresponsive neurons.
CONCLUSIONS: GD and acupuncture at three different acupoints affected the electrical activity of MVN neurons. The MVN is involved in the central integration mechanism underlying acupuncture regulation of gastric functions. The effects of acupuncture on gastric function may therefore be mediated via these particular MVN neurons.
摘要：
目的：观察胃胀（GD）和针刺三种不同穴位对前庭内侧核（MVN）神经元自发放电的影响，并阐明MVN在针刺调节的中枢整合机制中的具体功能。
方法：使用插入胃腔的气球进行GD，分别在三个穴位进行针刺：足三里（ST36），曲奇（李11），和韦舒（BL21）。使用玻璃微电极评估针刺和GD对MVN神经元自发放电的影响，该玻璃微电极填充了含有1％pontamine天蓝的乙酸钠电解质溶液；微电极放大器放大了神经元的放电信号，并记录在Spike2系统中。
结果：GD和针刺显著影响MVN神经元的自发放电。此外，与GD无反应性神经元相比，针刺足三里（ST36）和胃舒（BL21）在改变GD反应性MVN神经元放电方面显着更有效。
结论：GD和针刺三个不同穴位对MVN神经元的电活动有影响。MVN参与针刺调节胃功能的中枢整合机制。因此，针刺对胃功能的影响可能是通过这些特定的MVN神经元介导的。
方法：使用插入胃腔的气球进行GD，分别在三个穴位进行针刺：足三里（ST36），曲奇（李11），和韦舒（BL21）。使用玻璃微电极评估针刺和GD对MVN神经元自发放电的影响，该玻璃微电极填充了含有1％pontamine天蓝的乙酸钠电解质溶液；微电极放大器放大了神经元的放电信号，并记录在Spike2系统中。
结果：GD和针刺显著影响MVN神经元的自发放电。此外，与GD无反应性神经元相比，针刺足三里（ST36）和胃舒（BL21）在改变GD反应性MVN神经元放电方面显着更有效。
结论：GD和针刺三个不同穴位对MVN神经元的电活动有影响。MVN参与针刺调节胃功能的中枢整合机制。因此，针刺对胃功能的影响可能是通过这些特定的MVN神经元介导的。
