[Reaction of monoamine-containing structures of rat spleen to acupuncture]

Using the method of luminescent microscopy, the catecholamine (CA) and serotonin (S) content was examined in spleen structures, and the interrelations between them were traced in rats before and 15 minutes, 1, 2 and 4 hours after the acupuncture in LI 4 and GV 14 points. It was found that after acupuncture, neurotransmitter content in splenic red and white pulp was changed already in 15 minutes. The changes of CA and S content in granular luminescent cells (GLC) of the germinal centers of spleen lymphoid nodules had a wavy character. At the same time, the correlations between monoamine content in the central arteriole wall and in germinal center GLCs, as well as that one between GLCs and germinal center lymphocytes, became strong positive. The data obtained suggest the presence of an immune-stimulating component in acupuncture, which became apparent during the first hour and persisted for 4 hours after a single acupuncture in GV 14 and LI 4 points.