神经肽与针刺调整作用的可能关系

当前,对神经肽(neuropeptides)的研究进展十分迅速。应用免疫学方法,神经肽在神经系统中的分布已经能够准确定位,不论中枢或外周神经中均含有肽能神经成份,它已经成为机体正常生理活动的一个新的调节或控制系统。不少学者在论证神经肽的递质作用时,还认为神经肽可以作为神经调制物质(neuromodulator),它能修饰神经元对其它递质的反应。因此,神经肽对机体功能活动的影响是广泛而深刻的。不少针刺穴位所产生的效应与某些神经肽的生理功能十分相似,本文综述有关资料,说明神经肽中的内源性鸦片样物质(OLS),特别是脑啡肽和内啡肽参与针刺镇痛过程。同时,根据现有的有关实验报道和资料,有迹象表明神经肽与针刺对机体的调整作用可能存在着一定的联系。本文就现有资料对其相关性进行了初步分析,提出密切注意神经肽研究的进展,并将神经肽研究和对针刺疗法作用原理的探讨结合起来,以期有助于针刺机理或针刺的部分作用机制的阐明,促进针刺疗法的进一步发展的观点。

NEUROPEPTIDES AND REGULATORY EFFECTS OF ACUPUNCTURE

In recent years great advances have been made in the study of neuropeptides. By means of immunocyto chemical techniques, it is possible to locate precisely the distribution of neuropeptides. peptidergic nerves have been found in both central and peripheral nervous systems. and have been considered as a new regulatory system of physiological activities in the animal body. Many researchers believe that neuropeptides act as neuromodulators. modifying synaptic transmission by neurotransmitters. Some functional activities in the body are greatly affected by neuropeptides. Quite a few effects produced by acupuncture bear similarities to those produced by neuropeptides. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the role of endogenous opiate peptides in acupuncture analgesia.There are indications that acupunctural regulation is also related to neuropeptides. A preliminary analysis of such a relation is made in this paper. The author calls for a greater attention to the developments in neuropeptide research.