While our recent studies have suggested that effective acupoints display neurogenic inflammation and can be identified as neurogenic spots (Neuro-Sps), the optimal stimulation conditions and the underlying mechanisms remain uncharacterized. We developed a combined mechano-electrical acupuncture device (MEA) and examined the effects of acupuncture at Neuro-Sps on systolic blood pressure (BP) in a rat model of immobilization-induced hypertension (IMH) and the mediation of endogenous opioid systems in its effect. Cutaneous neurogenic spots were found mostly in the forelimb. Electrical and mechanical acupuncture of Neuro-Sps increased 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), c-Fos expression and cell excitability in the midbrain and synergistically alleviated the development of hypertension following immobilization stress, which was prevented by administration of the opioid antagonist naloxone into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM). These findings suggest that mechanical and electrical stimulation at Neuro-Sps suppresses the development of hypertension via mediation of the endogenous opioid system.

中文翻译：

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配对的机械和电针刺神经源性斑点可诱导阿片类药物介导的大鼠高血压抑制。

尽管我们最近的研究表明，有效穴位可以显示神经源性炎症，并且可以被识别为神经源性斑点（Neuro-Sps），但最佳刺激条件和潜在机制仍未表征。我们开发了一种组合式机电针刺装置（MEA），并在固定性高血压（IMH）和内源性阿片样物质系统介导的大鼠模型中，研究了神经针刺对收缩压（BP）的影响影响。皮肤神经源性斑点多见于前肢。电动针刺和神经针刺疗法可增加中脑的22 kHz超声发声（USV），c-Fos表达和细胞兴奋性，并协同缓解固定压力后高血压的发展，可以通过将阿片类药物拮抗剂纳洛酮注入延髓腹侧延髓（rVLM）来预防。这些发现表明，Neuro-Sps的机械和电刺激通过内源性阿片样物质系统的介导抑制了高血压的发展。