中国结合医学杂志（英文版）Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine

Author Name	Affiliation	E-mail
CUI Jing-jing, ZHU Xin-long, SHI Hong
BAI Wan-zhu	Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing (100700), China	wanzhubaisy@hotmail.com

Hits: 991

Download times: 161

Abstract:

Objective: To investigate the biochemical characteristic of the neurons associated Zusanli (ST 36) in the rat by using Alexa Fluor 594 conjugated cholera toxin subunit B (AF594-CTB) neural tracing and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) fluorescent immunohistochemical techniques. Methods: Four male Sprague Dawley rats were injected with AF594-CTB into the corresponding area of the Zusanli in the human body. After 3 surviving days, the rat's spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) at lumbar segments were dissected following perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde, cut into sections, and then stained with CGRP-fluorescent immunohistochemical method. Results: AF594-CTB labeled sensory neurons were detected in the L3–L6 DRGs with high concentration in L4 DRG, and the labeled motor neurons located in the dorsolateral and intermediate regions of lamina Ⅸ from L3–L5 segments with high concentration at L4. Meanwhile, CGRP-positive neural labeling distributed symmetrically on both sides of DRGs, anterior and dorsal horns of spinal cord. In the AF594-CTB labeled neurons, 37% sensory neurons and 100% motor neurons expressed CGRP-positive. Conclusion: These findings present the morphological evidence to demonstrate that the sensory and motor neurons associated Zusanli in the rat distributed with segmental and regional patterns, and contained CGRP-expression.