Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Autonomic Function and Electroacupuncture

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Advanced Acupuncture Research: From Bench to Bedside

Abstract

Effectiveness of acupuncture in regulating suboptimal autonomic function and its mechanisms are investigated for several decades by the scientific community. This therapy among other mechanisms stimulates particular somatosensory neuronal fibers and pathways restoring normal physiological function. A number of medical conditions are affected by overexcitation of the sympathetic or parasympathetic limb of the autonomic nervous system. The aberrant activity of peripheral and central autonomic nervous systems, integral to involuntary functioning of physiological systems, leads to acute and chronic medical conditions that are then amenable to the application of somatic nerve stimulation or acupuncture to modulate the dysfunction. Conditions such as essential hypertension and orthostatic hypotension at least partially emanate from overexcitation of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity, respectively. Central integration of the elevated sympathoexcitatory or parasympathoexcitatory visceral afferent input (evoked by chemo or mechanical visceral sensors) and somatosensory input during acupuncture restores the impaired autonomic nervous system toward basal function). Chronic increased sympathetic activity reduces motility of the intestine and colon resulting in functional constipation. Acupuncture therapy likely restores the motility alleviating the functional constipation through central processing. Neuroactivity of local neuroendocrine cells with oxygen sensors during alveolar hypoxia leads to an imbalance of neuropeptides in the lung that are important in pulmonary vascular regulation through the autonomic nervous system. Alveolar hypoxia leading to pulmonary vascular disease and pulmonary hypertension displays increased neuroendocrine cells and medial thickness of small pulmonary arteries, endothelial proliferation and induces right ventricular hypertrophy, features observed in chronic pulmonary disease (Group III as defined by the World Health Organization, WHO). Acupuncture seems to also relieve the chronic pulmonary disease. In perspective, acupuncture aims to rebalance the autonomic nervous activities leading toward normal physiological functioning of visceral organs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 229.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Abbreviations

WHO:

World Health Organization

ANS:

autonomic nervous system

CNS:

central nervous system

NTS:

nucleus tractus solitarius

PVN:

paraventricular nucleus

rVLM:

rostral ventrolateral medulla

NA:

nucleus ambiguus

MA:

manual acupuncture

EA:

electroacupuncture

TRPV1:

transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1

GABA:

γ-aminobutyric acid

PBG:

phenylbiguanide

5-HT :

5-hyodroxytryptamine

DVC:

dorsal vagal complex

DMV:

dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus

CRF:

corticotropin-releasing factor

COPD:

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

CGRP:

calcitonin gene related peptide

ET-1:

endothelin-1

HUT:

Head-up Tilt

PAP:

pulmonary arterial pressure

References

  • Adriaensen D, Timmermans JP, Brouns I, Berthoud HR, Neuhuber WL, Scheuermann DW (1998) Pulmonary intraepithelial vagal nodose afferent nerve terminals are confined to neuroepithelial bodies: an anterograde tracing and confocal microscopy study in adult rats. Cell Tissue Res 293:395–405

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Adriaensen D, Brouns I, Van GJ, Timmermans JP (2003) Functional morphology of pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies: extremely complex airway receptors. Anat Rec A Discov Mol Cell Evol Biol 270:25–40

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Adriaensen D, Brouns I, Pintelon I, De Proost I, Timmermans J-P (2006) Evidence for a role of neuroepithelial bodies as complex airway sensors: comparison with smooth muscle-associated airway receptors. J Appl Physiol 101:960–970

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aydin MA, Salukhe TV, Wilke I, Willems S (2010) Management and therapy of vasovagal syncope: a review. World J Cardiol 2:308–315

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Barr RG, Mesia-Vela S, Austin JH, Basner RC, Keller BM, Reeves AP, Shimbo D, Stevenson L (2007) Impaired flow-mediated dilation is associated with low pulmonary function and emphysema in ex-smokers: the Emphysema and Cancer Action Project (EMCAP) Study. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 176:1200–1207

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Blanco I, Piccari L, Barberà JA (2016) Pulmonary vasculature in COPD: the silent component. Respirology 21:984–994

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brouns I, Van GJ, Hayashi H, Gajda M, Gomi T, Burnstock G, Timmermans JP, Adriaensen D (2003) Dual sensory innervation of pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 28:275–285

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brouns I, Pintelon I, Van GJ, De Proost I, Timmermans JP, Adriaensen D (2004) Vesicular glutamate transporter 2 is expressed in different nerve fibre populations that selectively contact pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies. Histochem Cell Biol 121:1–12

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Browning KN, Travagli RA (2014) Central nervous system control of gastrointestinal motility and secretion and modulation of gastrointestinal functions. Compr Physiol 4:1339–1368

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Carratu P, Scoditti C, Maniscalco M, Seccia TM, Di GG, Gadaleta F, Cardone RA, Dragonieri S, Pierucci P, Spanevello A, Resta O (2008) Exhaled and arterial levels of endothelin-1 are increased and correlate with pulmonary systolic pressure in COPD with pulmonary hypertension. BMC Pulm Med 8:20

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cevik C, Iseri SO (2013) The effect of acupuncture on high blood pressure of patients using antihypertensive drugs. Acupunct Electrother Res 38:1–15

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Champion HC, Bivalacqua TJ, Toyoda K, Heistad DD, Hyman AL, Kadowitz PJ (2000) In vivo gene transfer of prepro-calcitonin gene-related peptide to the lung attenuates chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in the mouse. Circulation 101:923–930

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chao DM, Shen LL, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Pitsillides KF, Li P, Longhurst JC (1999) Naloxone reverses inhibitory effect of electroacupuncture on sympathetic cardiovascular reflex responses. Am J Physiol 276:H2127–H2134

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen T, Yang C, Li M, Tan X (2016) Alveolar hypoxia-induced pulmonary inflammation: from local initiation to secondary promotion by activated systemic inflammation. J Vasc Res 53:317–329

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen KA, Gosse BJ, Hildebrand C, Gershan LA (2017) Acupuncture-associated vasovagal response: revised terminology and hospital experience. Med Acupunct 29:366–376

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Coleridge H, Coleridge J (1980) Cardiovascular afferents involved in regulation of peripheral vessels. Annu Rev Physiol 42:413–427

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crisostomo M, Li P, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Longhurst JC (2005) Nociceptin in rVLM mediates electroacupuncture inhibition of cardiovascular reflex excitatory response in rats. J Appl Physiol 98:2056–2063

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Da Silva Gonçalves Bós D, Van Der Bruggen CEE, Kurakula K, Sun XQ, Casali KR, Casali AG, Rol N, Szulcek R, Remedios CD, Guignabert C, Tu L, Dorfmüller P, Humbert M, Wijnker PJM, Kuster DWD, Van Der Velden J, Goumans MJ, Bogaard HJ, Vonk-Noordegraaf A, De Man FS, Handoko ML (2018) Contribution of impaired parasympathetic activity to right ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Circulation 137:910–924

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Da N, Wang X, Liu H, Xu X, Jin X, Chen C, Zhu D, Bai J, Zhang X, Zou Y, Hu G, Zhang J (2015) The effectiveness of electroacupuncture for functional constipation: a randomized, controlled, clinical trial. Evid-Based Complement Alternat Med 2015:670963

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • de Paula PM, Branco LG (2005) Glutamatergic receptors of the rostral ventrolateral medulla are involved in the ventilatory response to hypoxia. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 146:125–134

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dempsey JA, Powell FL, Bisgard GE, Blain GM, Poulin MJ, Smith CA (2014) Role of chemoreception in cardiorespiratory acclimatization to, and deacclimatization from, hypoxia. J Appl Physiol 116:858–866

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deng S (1990) Acupuncture treatment of syncope based on differentiation of signs and symptoms. J Tradit Chin Med 10:182–188

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dorrington KL, Clar C, Young JD, Jonas M, Tansley JG, Robbins PA (1997) Time course of the human pulmonary vascular response to 8 hours of isocapnic hypoxia. Am J Physiol 273:H1126–H1134

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fasth S, Hulten L, Nordgren S (1980) Evidence for a dual pelvic nerve influence on large bowel motility in the cat. J Physiol 298:159–169

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Feng J, Wang X, Li X, Zhao D, Xu J (2016) Acupuncture for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a multicenter, randomized, sham-controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore) 95:e4879

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Flachskampf FA, Gallasch J, Gefeller O, Gan J, Mao J, Pfahlberg AB, Wortmann A, Klinghammer L, Pflederer W, Daniel WG (2007) Randomized trial of acupuncture to lower blood pressure. Circulation 115:3121–3129

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fu L-W, Longhurst JC (1998) Reflex pressor response to arterial phenylbiguanide; role of abdominal sympathetic visceral afferents. Am J Physiol 275:H2025–H2035

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fu L-W, Longhurst C (2009) Electroacupuncture modulates vl PAG release of GABA through presynaptic cannabinoid CB1 receptor. J Appl Physiol 106:1800–1809

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Fu XW, Spindel ER (2009) Recruitment of GABA(A) receptors in chemoreceptor pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies by prenatal nicotine exposure in monkey lung. Adv Exp Med Biol 648:439–445

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Giaid A, Saleh D (1995) Reduced expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the lungs of patients with pulmonary hypertension. N Engl J Med 333:214–221

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Giaid A, Yanagisawa M, Langleben D, Michel RP, Levy R, Shennib H, Kimura S, Masaki T, Duguid WP, Stewart DJ (1993) Expression of endothelin-1 in the lungs of patients with pulmonary hypertension. N Engl J Med 328:1732–1739

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Glise H, Lindahl BO, Abrahamsson H (1980) Reflex adrenergic inhibition of gastric motility by nociceptive intestinal stimulation and peritoneal irritation in the cat. Scand J Gastroenterol 15:673–681

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • González-Saiz L, Fiuza-Luces C, Sanchis-Gomar F, Santos-Lozano A, Quezada-Loaiza CA, Flox-Camacho A, Munguía-Izquierdo D, Ara I, Santalla A, Morán M, Sanz-Ayan P, Escribano-Subías P, Lucia A (2017) Benefits of skeletal-muscle exercise training in pulmonary arterial hypertension: the WHOLEi+12 trial. Int J Cardiol 231:277–283

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths PR, Lolait SJ, Harris LE, Paton JFR, O'Carroll AM (2017) Vasopressin V1a receptors mediate the hypertensive effects of [Pyr(1)]apelin-13 in the rat rostral ventrolateral medulla. J Physiol 595:3303–3318

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Guo Z-L, Moazzami AR, Longhurst JC (2004) Electroacupuncture induces c-Fos expression in the rostral ventrolateral medulla and periaqueductal gray in cats: relation to opioid containing neurons. Brain Res 1030:103–115

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guo Z-L, Moazzami A, Tjen-A-Looi S, Longhurst J (2008) Responses of opioid and serotonin containing medullary raphe neurons to electroacupuncture. Brain Res 1229:125–136

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Guo Z-L, Li M, Longhurst J (2012) Nucleus ambiguus cholinergic neurons activated by acupuncture: relation to enkephalin. Brain Res 1442:25–35

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Guo ZL, Fu LW, Su HF, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Longhurst JC (2018) Role of TRPV1 in acupuncture modulation of reflex excitatory cardiovascular responses. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 314:R655–R666

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton JG (1995) Needle phobia: a neglected diagnosis. J Fam Pract 41:169–175

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hansen J, Sander M (2003) Sympathetic neural overactivity in healthy humans after prolonged exposure to hypobaric hypoxia. J Physiol 546:921–929

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harati Y, Izadyar S (2010) Autonomic nervous system. In: Anonymous neurology secrets. Mosby, pp 204–226

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hewes JL, Lee JY, Fagan KA, Bauer NN (2020) The changing face of pulmonary hypertension diagnosis: a historical perspective on the influence of diagnostics and biomarkers. Pulm Circ 10:2045894019892801

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huhtaniemi IT (2020) Electroacupuncture mimics exercise in affecting gene expression of skeletal muscle. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 105 7):dgaa283

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwa M, Matsushima M, Nakade Y, Pappas TN, Fujimiya M, Takahashi T (2006) Electroacupuncture at ST-36 accelerates colonic motility and transit in freely moving conscious rats. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 290:G285–G292

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jardine DL, Ikram H, Frampton CM, Frethey R, Bennett SI, Crozier IG (1998) Autonomic control of vasovagal syncope. Am J Physiol 274:H2110–H2115

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jeffery TK, Morrell NW (2002) Molecular and cellular basis of pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 45:173–202

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jeggo R, Kellett D, Wang Y, Ramage A, Jordan D (2005) The role of central 5-HT3 receptors in vagal reflex inputs to neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius of anaesthetized rats. J Physiol 566:939–953

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Jia LL, Kang YM, Wang FX, Li HB, Zhang Y, Yu XJ, Qi J, Suo YP, Tian ZJ, Zhu Z, Zhu GQ, Qin DN (2014) Exercise training attenuates hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy by modulating neurotransmitters and cytokines in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. PLoS One 9:e85481

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jin H, Liu J, Foreman RD, Chen JD, Yin J (2015) Electrical neuromodulation at acupoint ST36 normalizes impaired colonic motility induced by rectal distension in dogs. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 309:G368–G376

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johanson JF (2007) Review of the treatment options for chronic constipation. Med Gen Med 9:25

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim HM, Cho SY, Park SU, Sohn IS, Jung WS, Moon SK, Park JM, Ko CN, Cho KH (2012) Can acupuncture affect the circadian rhythm of blood pressure? A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med 18:918–923

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lee TM, Chen CC, Shen HN, Chang NC (2009) Effects of pravastatin on functional capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary hypertension. Clin Sci (Lond) 116:497–505

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lembo A, Camilleri M (2003) Chronic constipation. N Engl J Med 349:1360–1368

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levine DJ (2006) Diagnosis and management of pulmonary arterial hypertension: implications for respiratory care. Respir Care 51:368–381

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li H, Chen SJ, Chen YF, Meng QC, Durand J, Oparil S, Elton TS (1994) Enhanced endothelin-1 and endothelin receptor gene expression in chronic hypoxia. J Appl. Physiol 77:1451–1459

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Pitsillides KF, Rendig SV, Pan H-L, Longhurst JC (1998) Reversal of reflex-induced myocardial ischemia by median nerve stimulation: a feline model of electroacupuncture. Circulation 97:1186–1194

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Tjen-A-Looi S, Longhurst J (2001) Rostral ventrolateral medullary opioid receptor subtypes in the inhibitory effect of electroacupuncture on reflex autonomic response in cats. Auton Neurosci 89:38–47

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Ayannusi O, Reed C, Longhurst JC (2004) Inhibitory effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the pressor response induced by exercise stress. Clin Auton Res 14:182–188

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Longhurst JC (2006) Excitatory projections from arcuate nucleus to ventrolateral periaqueductal gray in electroacupuncture inhibition of cardiovascular reflexes. Am J Physiol 209:H2535–H2542

    Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, Fu L-W, Longhurst JC (2009) Long-loop pathways in cardiovascular electroacupuncture responses. J Appl Physiol 106:620–630

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, Longhurst JC (2010a) An arcuate-ventrolateral periaqueductal gray reciprocal circuit participates in electroacupuncture cardiovascular inhibition. Auton Neurosci Basic Clin 158:13–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Longhurst JC (2010b) Nucleus raphé pallidus participates in midbrain-medullary cardiovascular sympathoinhibition during electroacupuncture. Am J Physiol 299:R1369–R1376

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li DZ, Zhou Y, Yang YN, Ma YT, Li XM, Yu J, Zhao Y, Zhai H, Lao L (2014) Acupuncture for essential hypertension: a meta-analysis of randomized sham-controlled clinical trials. Evid-Based Complement Alternat Med 2014:279478

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Li P, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Cheng L, Lui D, Painovich J, Vinjanury S, Longhurst JC (2015) Long-lasting reduction of blood pressure by electroacupuncture in patients with hypertension: randomized controlled trial. Med Acupunct 27:253–266

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Li M, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, Longhurst JC (2016) Repetitive electroacupuncture attenuates cold-induced hypertension through enkephalin in the rostral ventral lateral medulla. Sci Rep 6:35791

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Z, Yan S, Wu J, He L, Li N, Dong G, Fang J, Fu W, Fu L, Sun J, Wang L, Wang S, Yang J, Zhang H, Zhang J, Zhao J, Zhou W, Zhou Z, Ai Y, Zhou K, Liu J, Xu H, Cai Y, Liu B (2016) Acupuncture for chronic severe functional constipation: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 165:761–769

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liu T, Yang L, Han X, Ding X, Li J, Yang J (2020) Local sympathetic innervations modulate the lung innate immune responses. Sci Adv 6:eaay1497

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Longhurst J (2003) Neural Regulation of the cardiovascular system. In: Squire LR, Bloom FE, McConnel SK et al (eds) Fundamental neuroscience, 2nd edn. Academic, San Diego, pp 935–966

    Google Scholar 

  • Longhurst JC, Tjen-A-Looi SC (2013) Acupuncture regulation of blood pressure: two decades of research. Int Rev Neurobiol 111:257–271

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Macklin EA, Wayne PM, Kalish LA, Valaskatgis P, Thompson J, Pian-Smith MC, Zhang Q, Stevens S, Goertz C, Prineas RJ, Buczynski B, Zusman RM (2006) Stop Hypertension with the Acupuncture Research Program (SHARP): results of a randomized, controlled clinical trial. Hypertension 48:838–845

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mandegar M, Fung YC, Huang W, Remillard CV, Rubin LJ, Yuan JXJ (2004) Cellular and molecular mechanisms of pulmonary vascular remodeling: role in the development of pulmonary hypertension. Microvasc Res 68:75–103

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mandras SA, Mehta HS, Vaidya A (2020) Pulmonary hypertension: a brief guide for clinicians. Mayo Clin Proc 95:1978–1988

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mazzone SB, Undem BJ (2016) Vagal Afferent Innervation of the airways in health and disease. Physiol Rev 96:975–1024

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Moazzami A, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo Z-L, Longhurst JC (2010) Serotonergic projection from nucleus raphe pallidus to rostral ventrolateral medulla modulates cardiovascular reflex responses during acupuncture. J Appl Physiol 108:1336–1346

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Moreira-Gonçalves D, Ferreira R, Fonseca H, Padrão AI, Moreno N, Silva AF, Vasques-Nóvoa F, Gonçalves N, Vieira S, Santos M, Amado F, Duarte JA, Leite-Moreira AF, Henriques-Coelho T (2015) Cardioprotective effects of early and late aerobic exercise training in experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension. Basic Res Cardiol 110:57

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morillo CA, Eckberg DL, Ellenbogen KA, Beightol LA, Hoag JB, Tahvanainen KU, Kuusela TA, Diedrich AM (1997) Vagal and sympathetic mechanisms in patients with orthostatic vasovagal syncope. Circulation 96:2509–2513

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nathan SD, Barbera JA, Gaine SP, Harari S, Martinez FJ, Olschewski H, Olsson KM, Peacock AJ, Pepke-Zaba J, Provencher S, Weissmann N, Seeger W (2019) Pulmonary hypertension in chronic lung disease and hypoxia. Eur Respir J 53(1):1801914

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Neijing H (1983) Huangdi Neijing: yellow emperor’s inner canon: basic questions. Renmin Weisheng Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Noguchi M, Furukawa KT, Morimoto M (2020) Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells: physiology, tissue homeostasis and disease. Dis Model Mech 13(12):dmm046920

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Oparil S, Chen SJ, Meng QC, Elton TS, Yano M, Chen YF (1995) Endothelin-A receptor antagonist prevents acute hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in the rat. Am J Physiol 268:L95–100

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pan P, Zhang X, Qian H, Shi W, Wang J, Bo Y, Li W (2010) Effects of electro-acupuncture on endothelium-derived endothelin-1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase of rats with hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 235:642–648

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Papanek PE, Wood CE, Fregly MJ (1991) Role of the sympathetic nervous system in cold-induced hypertension in rats. J Appl Physiol 71:300–306

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Polverino F, Celli BR, Owen CA (2018) COPD as an endothelial disorder: endothelial injury linking lesions in the lungs and other organs? (2017 Grover Conference Series). Pulm Circ 8:2045894018758528

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Powley TL (2013) Central control of autonomic functions: organization of the autonomic nervous system. In: Anonymous fundamental neuroscience. Academic, pp 729–747

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Pugliese SC, Poth JM, Fini MA, Olschewski A, El Kasmi KC, Stenmark KR (2015) The role of inflammation in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension: from cellular mechanisms to clinical phenotypes. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 308:L229–L252

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pullamsetti SS, Mamazhakypov A, Weissmann N, Seeger W, Savai R (2020) Hypoxia-inducible factor signaling in pulmonary hypertension. J Clin Invest 130:5638–5651

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ruwart MJ, Klepper MS, Rush BD (1980) Adrenergic and cholinergic contributions to decreased gastric emptying, small intestinal transit, and colonic transit in the postoperative ileus rat. J Surg Res 29:126–134

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sagami Y, Shimada Y, Tayama J, Nomura T, Satake M, Endo Y, Shoji T, Karahashi K, Hongo M, Fukudo S (2004) Effect of a corticotropin releasing hormone receptor antagonist on colonic sensory and motor function in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Gut 53:958–964

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Seldeslagh KA, Lauweryns JM (1993) Endothelin in normal lung tissue of newborn mammals: immunocytochemical distribution and co-localization with serotonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide. J Histochem Cytochem 41:1495–1502

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Springall DR, Cadieux A, Oliveira H, Su H, Royston D, Polak JM (1987) Retrograde tracing shows that CGRP-immunoreactive nerves of rat trachea and lung originate from vagal and dorsal root ganglia. J Auton Nerv Syst 20:155–166

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stener-Victorin E, Jedel E, Janson PO, Sverrisdottir YB (2009) Low-frequency electroacupuncture and physical exercise decrease high muscle sympathetic nerve activity in polycystic ovary syndrome. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 297:R387–R395

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart WF, Liberman JN, Sandler RS, Woods MS, Stemhagen A, Chee E, Lipton RB, Farup CE (1999) Epidemiology of constipation (EPOC) study in the United States: relation of clinical subtypes to sociodemographic features. Am J Gastroenterol 94:3530–3540

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sun J, Sang H, Yang C, Dong H, Lei C, Lu Y, Ma Y, Zhou X, Sun X, Xiong L (2013) Electroacupuncture improves orthostatic tolerance in healthy individuals via improving cardiac function and activating the sympathetic system. Europace 15:127–134

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Syuu Y, Matsubara H, Hosogi S, Suga H (2003) Pressor effect of electroacupuncture on hemorrhagic hypotension. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 285:R1446–R1452

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tache Y, Monnikes H, Bonaz B, Rivier J (1993) Role of CRF in stress-related alterations of gastric and colonic motor function. Ann NY Acad Sci 697:233–243

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi T (2013) Effect and mechanism of acupuncture on gastrointestinal diseases. Int Rev Neurobiol 111:273–294

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Takase B, Akima T, Satomura K, Mastui T, Ohsuzu F, Ishihara M, Kurita A (2004) Assessment of autonomic activity during daily life of patients with head-up tilt-induced prolonged asystole. Biomed Pharmacother 58(Suppl 1):S40–S44

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Talbot NP, Balanos GM, Dorrington KL, Robbins PA (2005) Two temporal components within the human pulmonary vascular response to approximately 2 h of isocapnic hypoxia. J Appl Physiol 98:1125–1139

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thenappan T, Ormiston ML, Ryan JJ, Archer SL (2018) Pulmonary arterial hypertension: pathogenesis and clinical management. BMJ 360:j5492

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Tjen-A-Looi SC, Fu LW (2017) Sustained effects of acupuncture in treatment of chronic constipation. Ann Palliat Med 6:S124–S127

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tjen-A-Looi S, Ekman R, Lippton H, Cary J, Keith I (1992) CGRP and somatostatin modulate chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Am J Physiol 263:H681–H690

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tjen-A-Looi S, Ekman R, Osborn J, Keith I (1996) Pulmonary vascular pressure effects by endothelin-1 in normoxia and chronic hypoxia: a longitudinal study. Am J Physiol 271:H2246–H2253

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tjen-A-Looi S, Kraiczi H, Ekman R, Keith IM (1998) Sensory CGRP depletion by capsaicin exacerbates hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats. Regul Pept 74:1–10

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tjen-A-Looi SC, Li P, Longhurst J (1999) Rostral VLM opioid receptor subtypes in electroacupuncture inhibition of reflex autonomic response. Clin Auton Res 9:247–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Tjen-A-Looi SC, Li P, Longhurst JC (2004) Medullary substrate and differential cardiovascular response during stimulation of specific acupoints. Am J Physiol 287:R852–R862

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tjen-A-Looi SC, Li P, Longhurst JC (2006) Midbrain vIPAG inhibits rVLM cardiovascular sympathoexcitatory responses during acupuncture. Am J Physiol 290:H2543–H2553

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tjen-A-Looi SC, Li P, Longhurst JC (2007) Role of medullary GABA, opioids, and nociceptin in prolonged inhibition of cardiovascular sympathoexcitatory reflexes during electroacupuncture in cats. Am J Physiol 293:H3627–H3635

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tjen-A-Looi SC, Li P, Longhurst JC (2009) Processing cardiovascular information in the vlPAG during electroacupuncture in rats: roles of endocannabinoids and GABA. J Appl Physiol 106:1793–1799

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Tjen-A-Looi SC, Hsiao AF, Longhurst JC (2011) Central and peripheral mechanisms underlying gastric distention inhibitory reflex responses in hypercapnic-acidotic rats. Am J Physiol 300:H1003–H1012

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tjen-A-Looi SC, Li P, Li M, Longhurst JC (2012) Modulation of cardiopulmonary depressor reflex in nucleus ambiguus by electroacupuncture: roles of opioids and gamma aminobutyric acid. Am J Physiol 302:R833–R844

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo C, Longhurst JC (2013a) Paraventricular nucleus contributes to acupuncture modulation of sympathoexcitatory cardiovascular reflexes. FASEB J 27(LB692)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, Li M, Longhurst JC (2013b) Medullary GABAergic mechanisms contribute to electroacupuncture modulation of cardiovascular depressor responses during gastric distention in rats. Am J Physiol 304:R321–R332

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, Longhurst JC (2014) GABA in nucleus tractus solitarius participates in electroacupuncture modulation of cardiopulmonary bradycardia reflex. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 307:1313–1323

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tjen-A-Looi SC, Fu LW, Guo ZL, Longhurst JC (2018) Modulation of neurally mediated vasodepression and bradycardia by electroacupuncture through opioids in nucleus tractus solitarius. Sci Rep 8:1900

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vaillancourt M, Chia P, Sarji S, Nguyen J, Hoftman N, Ruffenach G, Eghbali M, Mahajan A, Umar S (2017) Autonomic nervous system involvement in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Respir Res 18:201

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van LA (2001) Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNEC) and neuroepithelial bodies (NEB): chemoreceptors and regulators of lung development. Paediatr Respir Rev 2:171–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Van LA, Lauweryns JM, Berthoud HR (1998) Pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies are innervated by vagal afferent nerves: an investigation with in vivo anterograde DiI tracing and confocal microscopy. Anat Embryol (Berl) 197:325–330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang XM, Gao XY (2011) Acupuncture-moxibustion at Baihui (GV 20) for 56 cases of vasovagal syncope. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 31:974

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wats K, Rodriguez D, Prins KW, Sadiq A, Fogel J, Goldberger M, Moskovits M, Tootkaboni MP, Shani J, Jacob J (2021) Association of right ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension with adverse 30-day outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Pulm Circ 11:20458940211007040

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weitzenblum E, Chaouat A, Canuet M, Kessler R (2009) Pulmonary hypertension in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial lung diseases. Semin Respir Crit Care Med 30:458–470

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wichi RB, De AK, Jones L, Irigoyen MC (2009) A brief review of chronic exercise intervention to prevent autonomic nervous system changes during the aging process. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 64:253–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright JL, Lawson L, Paré PD, Hooper RO, Peretz DI, Nelems JM, Schulzer M, Hogg JC (1983) The structure and function of the pulmonary vasculature in mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The effect of oxygen and exercise. Am Rev Respir Dis 128:702–707

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wu J, Liu B, Li N, Sun J, Wang L, Wang L, Cai Y, Ye Y, Liu J, Wang Y, Liu Z (2014) Effect and safety of deep needling and shallow needling for functional constipation: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore) 93:e284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao YF, Lin SX, Deng ZF, Li P (1983) Mechanism of pressor effect of electroacupuncture on nitroprusside hypotension in dogs. Acta Physio Sin (in Chinese) 35:257–263

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yamaleyeva LM, Shaltout HA, Varagic J (2016) Apelin-13 in blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular disease. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 25:396–403

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yao T, Andersson S, Thoren P (1982) Long-lasting cardiovascular depression induced by acupuncture-like stimulation of the sciatic nerve in unanaesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats. Brain Res 240:77–85

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yin C, Seo B, Park HJ, Cho M, Jung W, Choue R, Kim C, Park HK, Lee H, Koh H (2007) Acupuncture, a promising adjunctive therapy for essential hypertension: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Neurol Res 29 Suppl 1:S98–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoshida K, Saku K, Kamada K, Abe K, Tanaka-Ishikawa M, Tohyama T, Nishikawa T, Kishi T, Sunagawa K, Tsutsui H (2018) Electrical vagal nerve stimulation ameliorates pulmonary vascular remodeling and improves survival in rats with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. JACC Basic Transl Sci 3:657–671

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang CR, Xia CM, Jiang MY, Zhu MX, Zhu JM, Du DS, Liu M, Wang J, Zhu DN (2013a) Repeated electroacupuncture attenuating of apelin expression and function in the rostral ventrolateral medulla in stress-induced hypertensive rats. Brain Res Bull 97:53–62

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang T, Chon TY, Liu B, Do A, Li G, Bauer B, Wang L, Liu Z (2013b) Efficacy of acupuncture for chronic constipation: a systematic review. Am J Chin Med 41:717–742

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang XF, Xiang SY, Geng WY, Cong WJ, Lu J, Jiang CW, Wang K, Liu ZB (2018) Electro-acupuncture regulates the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Integr Med 16:418–426

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou W, Fu LW, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, Longhurst JC (2006) Role of glutamate in a visceral sympathoexcitatory reflex in rostral ventrolateral medulla of cats. Am J Physiol 291:H1309–H1318

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zielinski J, Tobiasz M, Hawrylkiewicz I, Sliwinski P, Palasiewicz G (1998) Effects of long-term oxygen therapy on pulmonary hemodynamics in COPD patients: a 6-year prospective study. Chest 113:65–70

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmermann T, du Fay de LJ, Nestelberger T, Gualandro DM, Strebel I, Badertscher P, Lopez-Ayala P, Widmer V, Freese M, Miró Ã’, Christ M, Cullen L, Than M, Martin-Sanchez FJ, Di SS, Peacock WF, Keller DI, Boeddinghaus J, Twerenbold R, Wussler D, Koechlin L, Walter JE, Bürgler F, Geigy N, Kühne M, Reichlin T, Lohrmann J, Mueller C (2020) Incidence, characteristics, determinants, and prognostic impact of recurrent syncope. Europace 22:1885–1895

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, College of Health Sciences, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA

    Stephanie C. Tjen-A-Looi, Liang-Wu Fu, Anh T. Nguyen, Yiwei Gong & Shaista Malik

Authors
  1. Stephanie C. Tjen-A-Looi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Liang-Wu Fu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anh T. Nguyen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yiwei Gong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Shaista Malik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephanie C. Tjen-A-Looi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Mechanism and Acupoint Function, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

    Ying Xia

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Tjen-A-Looi, S.C., Fu, LW., Nguyen, A.T., Gong, Y., Malik, S. (2022). Autonomic Function and Electroacupuncture. In: Xia, Y. (eds) Advanced Acupuncture Research: From Bench to Bedside. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96221-0_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation