Evidence Details for Fos
PMID Title Journal Year Abstract
32039692 Paired mechanical and electrical acupuncture of neurogenic spots induces opioid-mediated suppression of hypertension in rats. J Physiol Sci. 2020 Feb 6;70(1):14. doi: 10.1186/s12576-020-00735-4. 2020 Feb 6 While our recent studies have suggested that effective acupoints display neurogenic inflammation and can be identified as neurogenic spots (Neuro-Sps), the optimal stimulation conditions and the underlying mechanisms remain uncharacterized. We developed a combined mechano-electrical acupuncture device (MEA) and examined the effects of acupuncture at Neuro-Sps on systolic blood pressure (BP) in a rat model of immobilization-induced hypertension (IMH) and the mediation of endogenous opioid systems in its effect. Cutaneous neurogenic spots were found mostly in the forelimb. Electrical and mechanical acupuncture of Neuro-Sps increased 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), c-Fos expression and cell excitability in the midbrain and synergistically alleviated the development of hypertension following immobilization stress, which was prevented by administration of the opioid antagonist naloxone into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM). These findings suggest that mechanical and electrical stimulation at Neuro-Sps suppresses the development of hypertension via mediation of the endogenous opioid system."

Evidence Sentence: Electrical and mechanical acupuncture of Neuro-Sps increased 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), c-Fos expression and cell excitability in the midbrain and synergistically alleviated the development of hypertension following immobilization stress, which was prevented by administration of the opioid antagonist naloxone into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM).
Evidence Sentence: Effects of electroacupuncture, mechanoacupuncture or combined stimulation at neurogenic spots on c-Fos expression in ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) or rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM)
Evidence Sentence: In another set of animals, to compare the extent of activation of the midbrain vlPAG the expression of c-Fos, a marker of neuronal activation, following MA, EA, and combined MA + EA was examined in the vlPAG of IMH rats (EA, n = 8; MA, n = 7; EA + MA, n = 7).
Evidence Sentence: The IMH rats tended to show a slight increase in c-Fos expression of vlPAG from that of normal rats (Nor, n = 7), although there was no significant difference between groups.
Evidence Sentence: MA, EA or combined MA + EA at Neuro-Sps increased c-Fos expression in the vlPAG, compared to controls (Con, immobilization only; one-way ANOVA, F(3, 18) = 12.330, P < 0.001; Fig.
Evidence Sentence: In addition, MA + EA significantly enhanced c-Fos expression of vlPAG, compared to controls (one-way ANOVA, F(1, 6) = 18.394, P = 0.005; Fig.
Evidence Sentence: c-Fos expression in the rVLM was also examined following MA, EA or combined MA + EA.
Evidence Sentence: Significant increases in the numbers of c-Fos positive cells were found in all acupuncture treatment groups (MA, EA and MA + EA, n = 5/Group), compared to normal (Nor) or control (Con, IMH) rats (one-way ANOVA, F(5, 22) = 31.551, P < 0.001; Fig.
Evidence Sentence: This increase of c-Fos was dominant in the MA + EA group, while no significant increases in vlPAG or rVLM were observed in the rats given MA + EA at non-Neuro-Sps (n = 6; Fig.