A C-fiber reflex inhibition induced by electroacupuncture with different intensities applied at homotopic and heterotopic acupoints in rats selectively destructive effects on myelinated and unmyelinated afferent fibers

Abstract The aims of this study were to explore the C-fiber reflex inhibition induced by electroacupuncture with different intensities applied at homotopic or heterotopic acupoints, and to determine the influence selectively destroyed myelinated and unmyelinated afferent fibers on the C-fiber reflex inhibition. In the ipsilateral local acupoint, the general behavior of the C-fiber reflex can be depressed by electroacupuncture below the threshold of Aδ-fiber activation. Electroacupuncture stimulation within the intensity of Aδ-fiber activation applied to the ipsilateral limb pretreated with cobra venom did not elicit inhibition of C-fiber reflex in rats with demyelinated sciatic nerve. However, heterotopic electroacupuncture below the threshold of Aδ-fiber activation was totally ineffective. In contralateral heterotopic acupoints, the C-fiber reflex can be depressed only by electroacupuncture with stimulating intensities exceeding thresholds of Aδ and C-fiber activation. Electroacupuncture stimuli applied to capsaicin-pretreated limb in the intensities of threshold of Aδ-fiber and treble thresholds of C-fiber activation produced only a little inhibition of C-fiber reflex. Inhibitory intensity was roughly similar to that induced by the stimulation with intensity for the activation of Aδ-fiber in normal animal. In the spinalized animals transections at T 6 –T 7 segments, regardless of intensities, the homotopic electroacupuncture stimulation only induced moderate depression of C-fiber reflex similar to that of Aδ-fiber activation; whereas, no matter what intensities of application, the inhibitory effects of C-fiber reflex disappeared totally by using heterotopic noxious electroacupuncture in these animals.