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Immnohistochemistry analysis were carried out to observe the expression of histamine (HA), serotonin (5-HT) and nociceptive neuropeptides, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP), in the LI4 area. |
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Our results showed that SP and CGRP were expressed more highly on the cutaneous nerve fibers of LI4 after MA stimulation than that of the control. |
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The results indicated that local cutaneous nerve terminals and mast cells responded to MA with higher expression of SP and CGRP in nerve fibers, |
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in which we exposed sensory nerve fibers using substance P (SP) and CGRP, |
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We hypothesized that acupuncture stimulation could activate the cutaneous sensory nerves to propagate impulses and release inflammatory neuropeptides CGRP and SP, |
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(1) mast cells and blood vessels, (2) mast cells and SP-positive nerve fibers, (3) mast cells and CGRP-positive nerve fibers, (4) HA-expression on mast cells, and (5) 5-HT-expression on mast cells. |
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We used a similar procedure in the double immunohistochemical staining to examine the correlation between mast cells and SP or CGRP-positive nerve fibers, |
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Rabbit polyclonal anti-mast cell tryptase antibody and mouse monoclonal anti-CGRP antibody were employed to examine the correlation between mast cells and CGRP-positive nerve fibers. |
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After MA stimulation, the SP and CGRP were distributed more around the local nerve fibers, and mast cells tended to gather around the SP- and CGRP-positive nerve fibers |
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The correlation of mast cells and SP- or CGRP-positive nerve fibers in the area of LI4 were examined by double immunohistochemical staining (Fig. 3, Fig. 4). |
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In this study we examined the distributions of SP- and CGRP-positive nerve fibers and morphological and chemical changes of mast cells in the area of acupoint LI4 after MA stimulation. |
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(2) SP- and CGRP-positive nerve fibers responded to MA stimulation, displaying higher expression of SP and CGRP than those of the control, and, in turn, mast cells migrated toward SP- and CGRP-positive nerve fibers; |
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In this study the higher expression of SP and CGRP on cutaneous nerve fibers in the area of LI4 suggests that the nerve fibers might be responding to MA stimulation. |
| Evidence Sentence: |
Therefore SP and CGRP mediates the neuronal responses of acupuncture. |