MODIFICATIONS OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF SUBSTANCE P-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN THE CEREBRAL BASAL NUCLEI OF THE CAT AFTER ELECTROACUPUNCTURE

Abstract

We studied the distribution of Substance P in the fibrillar structures of the hypothalamus of the cat brain and its modification with low frequencey electroacupuncture (EA). The frequency was 3-5 Hz and the intensity 8mA. Periferic stimulation with EA was applied in Hegu and Kumlun points, for 20 min; and the soma immunoreactivity of Substance P was studied using the indirect immunocytochemistry technique. An increase in the soma immunoreactivity of Substance P (IR-SP) (appearance of some immunoreactives) after stimulation with EA was observed in the posterior hypothalamus, nucleus ventro medialis, hypothalamus, and perventricular region, and perifomix IR-SP soma fibres were also seen in some areas of the internal capsule. These observations place the said IR-SP soma modifications in the hypothalamus of the cat brain when subjected to low frequency EA.