Objective To observe the intervention effect and influence of different frequencies electro-nape-acupuncture (ENA) on sleep phase of cortex EEG and the contents of serum hormone in insomnia rats induced by PCPA, to discuss the possible mechanism of promoting sleep quality of ENA. Methods Forty male rats were randomized into normal group, model group, ENA group Ⅰ (stimulus frequency of 2 Hz), ENA group Ⅱ (stimulus frequency of 50 Hz) and ENA group Ⅲ (stimulus frequency of 100 Hz), with 8 rats in each group. Acupoints of Fengchi and Gongxue on both sides were used for the each ENA group. 0.25 mm×25 mm disposable sterile acupuncture needles were inserted 7-10 mm. The same side acupoints were connected with wires of electroacupuncture therapeutic meter and corresponding stimulus frequencies were used for treatment. After intervention for seven consecutive days, sleep EEG of rats were recorded. The contents of serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol (CORT) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in each group. Results Compared with the normal group, total every stage of sleep time decreased (P < 0.01), and ACTH, CORT contents increased in model group (P <0.01). Compared with the model group, TST, FWS, SWS2 of sleep time in EEG of each ENA group significant increased (P < 0.05), (P < 0.01), SWS1 of sleep time significant increased in ENA Ⅰ and ENA Ⅱ groups (P < 0.01), ACTH and CORT contents in ENA Ⅰ and ENA Ⅱ groups decreased significantly (P < 0.05), (P < 0.01). Compared with other treatment group, total sleeping time increased significantly in ENA group Ⅰ (P < 0.01). Conclusion Different frequency electro-nape-acupuncture all can effectively short wake time of insomnia rats and extend the total time of sleep and the therapeutic effect of stimulus frequency of 2 Hz is superior to that of 50 Hz and 100 Hz. The mechanism of promoting sleep may be related to adjusting contents of serum ACTH and CORT.

Objective To observe the influence of different frequency electro-nape-acupuncture on the hypothalamic im-munogical cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)contents in rats with sleep deprivation, clear the function of electro-nape-acupuncture treatment for insomnia and discuss the possible mechanism of promoting sleep. Methods Fifty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, 2 Hz stimulation group, 50 Hz stimulation group, 100 Hz stimulation group, 10 rats in each group. The models of insomnia were established by using para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA). After duplicating the models successfully, the rats of each different frequency treatment group were given electro-nape-acupuncture stimulation for one week, one time/day, 30 min/time. The normal and model groups were fixed in the corresponding time every day without any disposal. The rats in each group were sacrificed and the hypothalami were taken after treatment.The contents of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in hypothalamus were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in each group. Results Hypothalamic IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α contents in the model group were significantly lower than those in the normal group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α contents increased significantly in each different frequency treatment group (P<0.05). The hypothalamic IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α contents in 2 Hz stimulation group were higher than those in the 50 Hz and 100 Hz groups (P<0.05) and there were no statistically significant differences between the 50 Hz and 100 Hz groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Different frequency electro-nape-acupuncture all could effectively cure insomnia and the effect of 2 Hz group in promoting sleep is the best. The mechanism of promoting sleep may be related to regulating hypothalamic IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α contents.

This article collects and arranges the experimental literature documents about acupuncture treatment for insomnia rats induced by PCPA.The results show that the fundamental research of acupuncture for treating insomnia mainly focuses on the basis of animal behavior,immune function,neurotransmitter systems,oxidative stress,etc.These studies show that acupuncture has the effect on improving sleep based on nervous-humoral regulation of multiple targets and pathways by producing benign adjustment to abnormal biological behavior or microscopic molecular.This literature review not only shows the effect of acupuncture on promoting sleep and provides the basis for clinical treatment,but it also analyzes the currently existing problems and shortcomings in the research of the mechanism of acupuncture and puts forward some suggestions and expectations for the future research.

Objective To observe the effect of different frequencies of electro-nape-acupuncture (ENA) on the contents of monoamine neurotransmitters 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamin (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) in brainstem of insomnia rats induced by PCPA, to discuss primarily the mechanism of promoting sleep and therapeutic efficacy of different frequencies of ENA. Methods Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups, those are normal group, model group, ENA group Ⅰ (stimulus frequency of 2 Hz), ENA group Ⅱ (stimulus frequency of 50 Hz) and ENA group Ⅲ (stimulus frequency of 100 Hz). The animal models of insomnia were established by para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) intraperitoneal injection in each group except normal group. After duplicating the models successfully, each ENA group rats were treated by ENA therapy at different stimulus frequencies respectively for seven consecutive days, 1 time/day, 30min/time. After treatment the brainstems were taken and measured the contents of neurotransmitters 5-HT, DA and NE. Results The content of 5-HT were significantly lower and the contents of DA and NE were higher in the animal model of rats than that in the normal group, there were statistically significant differences (P<0.05); After the seven days of ENA treatment, the 5-HT content increased and the DA and NE contents decreased in brainstems of insomnia rats. Compared with the model group, there were significant differences (P<0.05). Among the ENA groups, ENA group Ⅰ was greatly superior to ENA group Ⅱ and ENA group Ⅲ at regulating the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters (P<0.05), however, there were no statistically significant difference between ENA group Ⅱ and ENA group Ⅲ (P >0.05). Conclusion The mechanism of ENA improve the structure of sleep may involve the regulation of monoamine neurotransmitters 5-HT, DA and NE contents in brainstem of insomnia rats.

通过文献检索归纳和总结近10年来国内外对针灸促眠作用的基础研究概况，分析了针灸对睡眠剥夺导致脑内神经递质、免疫细胞因子、抗氧化防御系统、激素、神经电生理等方面的异常均有良性调节作用，发现针灸是通过神经-内分泌-免疫系统进行的多途径、多靶点发挥促眠作用。从文献角度表明了针灸治疗失眠症的有效性，同时也为进一步的基础研究提供一些参考和指导。