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Acupuncture causes serotonin release by mast cells.

Nikolay Dimitrov1, Dimitrinka Atanasova, Nikola Tomov

  • 1Laboratory of Functional Neuroanatomy, Department of Synaptic Signaling and Communication, Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria; didiatan@bio.bas.bg; Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria; didi.atanasova@mf.uni-sz.bg; Department of Genes and Behavior, Max Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany; datanasova@mpibpc.mpg.de.

Romanian Journal of Morphology and Embryology = Revue Roumaine De Morphologie Et Embryologie
|December 19, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Acupuncture needle insertion causes mast cells (MCs) in the Zusanli (ST36) point to release serotonin (5-HT). This serotonin release from degranulating MCs may contribute to local tissue responses during acupuncture treatment.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neuroscience
  • Anatomy

Background:

  • Mast cells (MCs) are implicated in local reactions to acupuncture needling.
  • MCs in rats contain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) in their granules.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the distribution of 5-HT-containing MCs in the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint.
  • To examine morphological changes in these MCs following experimental acupuncture.

Main Methods:

  • Observation of 5-HT-immunopositive MCs in rat tissues around the ST36 acupoint.
  • Analysis of MC distribution and morphology before and after needle insertion.

Main Results:

  • MCs are unevenly distributed, with higher concentrations in the subcutis and dermis compared to striated muscles.
  • Acupuncture caused tissue displacement and degranulation of 5-HT-immunopositive MCs near the needle tract.
  • Discharged granules were observed at a distance from degranulating cells.

Conclusions:

  • Acupuncture stimulates the degranulation of 5-HT-containing MCs at the ST36 acupoint.
  • The release of serotonin from MCs may play a role in the local tissue response to acupuncture.