Stimulation of the caudate nucleus in man was able to relieve intractable pain due to late malignancies, and the analgesia was similar in some aspects to that produced by acupuncture. Experiments performed on rabbits demonstrated that caudate stimulation raised pain threshold and enhanced electroacupuncture analgesia (EA), while caudate lesion resulted in its attenuation. Electroacupuncture could modulate the activity of the caudate neurons sensitive to acetylcholine (ACh), serotonin (5-HT) or dopamine (DA). 6-hydroxydopamine, which destroys the dopaminergic terminals, enhanced EA after microinjection into the anterior portion of the caudate nucleus. Scopolamine, which blocks the cholinergic activity, reduced EA. The morphine antagonist naloxone, microinjected into the caudate nucleus, brought forth a partial reversal of EA. Naloxone administrated intravenously reversed the acupuncture effect of decreasing cAMP content in the caudate perfusate. The content of enkephalins in the rat's striatum was increased after EA, as estimated by radioimmunoassay. These results suggest that the caudate nucleus is one of the important CNS links in acupuncture analgesia and that intracaudate ACh, DA and endorphins are closely related to mechanisms underlying acupuncture analgesia.
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32 (1930) 238 - 244. Xu Shaofen, Li Wanpin, Sheng Helping, Zhang Lingmei and Zeng Dayun: The cyclic 3', 5'- adenosine monophosphate level in caudate perfusate during acupuncture analgesia. Acta Physiologica Sinica, 32 (1980), 238–244.
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Zou Gang, Yi Quingcheng, Wu Shixiang, Lu Yixin, Wang Fansheng, Yu Yuegui, Ji Xinquan, Zhang Zuxuan and Zhao Dandan: Enkephalin involvement in acupuncture analgesia — radioimmunoassay. Scientia Sinica,23 (1980), 1197–1207.
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31 (1974) 377–321 Tsou Kang, Zhao Dandan, Wu Shihhsiang, Chang Tsushuan, Lo Resing and Wan Fansheng: Enchancement of acupuncture analgesia with concomittant increase of enkephalins in striatum and hypothalamus by intraventricular baci-tracin. Acta Physiologica Sinica, 31 (1979) 377–381.
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32 (1980) 79–81 Wu Shihhsiang, Chang Tsushuan, Wan Fanshong and Tsou Kang: Effect of intraventricular. cycloheximide on acupuncture analgesia and brain meth- ionine-enkephalin. Acta Physiologica Sinica, 32 (1980), 79–81.
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OmuraY.Editorial: Pain threshold measurement before and after acupuncture: controversial results of radiant heat method and electrical method, and the roles of ACTH-like substances and endorphins. Acupuncture & Electro-Thera-Peutics Research, The International Journal, 3 (1978), pp. 1–21.
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OmuraY.Editorial, Part II: Impressions of the history making acupuncture symposia held in Peking and travel experiences in the People's Republic of China. Acupuncture & Electro-Therapeutics Research, The International Journal. 5 (1980), No. 1, pp. 1–28, with supplemental information, including electrical characteristics of G6805, appearing in ibid 5 (1980), No. 2, pp. 207–209.
