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Inhibitory effect of electro-acupuncture on penicillin-induced cortical epileptiform discharges

Wu Dingzong, Ma Jianyi, Li Wenjue

Department of Physiology, Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Shanghai, China

Abstract

Epileptiform discharges induced by topical application of penicillin on rat's sensory-motor cortex were attenuated after acupuncture of certain “acupoints”, as revealed by reduction of frequency, amplitude and duration of the discharges. Penicillin decreased the surface-negative wave evoked by antidromic stimulation of pyramidal tract, while electroacupuncture facilitated the restoration of such wave, thus the antiepileptic effect of electro-acupuncture was related to its restoration of recurrent inhibition of pyramidal tract. The effect of acupuncture was reversed by microinjection of naloxone into peritoneal cavity, lateral ventricle, periaqueductal gray of midbrain and N.accumbens. Direct injection of naloxone into the cortical site where penicillin was applied also blocked the acupunetural effect, thus suggesting the participation of endorphin in antiepileptic action of acupuncture. A marked antiepileptic effect was observed during stimulation of periaqueductal gray of midbrain and N. accumbens.

Key words: Penicillin-induced epileptiform discharges;Electro-acupuncture;Recurrent inhibition;Nalosone;Periaqueductal gray of midbrain;N. accumbens

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Citing This Article：

Wu Dingzong, Ma Jianyi, Li Wenjue. Inhibitory effect of electro-acupuncture on penicillin-induced cortical epileptiform discharges. Acta Physiol Sin 1986; 38 (3): (in Chinese with English abstract).