The effect of Mongolian medical acupuncture on cytokines and neurotransmitters in the brain tissue of insomniac rats

IntroductionMongolian medical acupuncture (MMA) is thought to have a significant therapeutic effect on insomnia. The effect of MMA on levels of interleukins (ILs) and neurotransmitters in insomniac rats was investigated and the potential mechanism operating for insomnia is discussed.MethodsSD rats in 6 groups (control group 1, control group 2, normal acupuncture group, insomnia group, insomnia + acupuncture group, and insomnia + Western medicine group) were intraperitoneally injected with p-chlorophenylalanine to provide an insomniac model. “Dinghui, Heyi and Xin acupoints” were stimulated with needles to observe the locomotor activities of insomniac rats (injected with pentobarbital sodium) and their sleep time. Levels of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, and IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the brain prefrontal lobe cortex, hypothalamus, and hippocampus tissue were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Noradrenaline (NE), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), glutamic acid (Glu) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels were measured by HPLC-ECD, and acetyl choline (Ach) level was determined by HPLC-RE-ECD.ResultsInsomniac rats experienced quietness, reduced activities and recovery of sleep time, drinking and eating and mental state after MMA stimulation. MMA significantly prolonged the sleep time induced by pentobarbital sodium. Levels of IL-1, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-α significantly increased compared with those of insomniac models (P < 0.01). Levels of NE, DA, and Glu decreased significantly (P < 0.01), whereas those of 5-HT, GABA, and Ach increased significantly (P < 0.01).ConclusionsMMA significantly decreased the cerebral excitability of insomniac rats. It promoted sleep probably by regulating the contents of cytokines and neurotransmitters in brain tissues.