Development of treatment for dyspnea of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26860483
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: General internal medicine(including psychosomatic medicine)
• Research Institution: Fukushima Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Suzuki Masao 福島県立医科大学, 公私立大学の部局等, 准教授 (10378698)
• Research Collaborator: FUKUDA Fumihiko 明治国際医療大学, 鍼灸学部, 教授
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 呼吸中枢 / 呼吸困難 / 鍼刺激 / セロトニン / ドーパミン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Two areas on the abdominal side of the medulla oblongata, pre-BotC and BotC, play an important role of generating respiratory rhythms. In this study, to elucidate how acupuncture(ACP) work effectively on dyspnea, we evaluated the effects on these two areas by measuring brain monoamines (dopamine and 5-HT) in respiratory load (CO2 8%) rats. There was no significant difference found in the amount of dopamine between the intact group and the control group. However, in the respiratory load group, it was significantly decreased compared with the intact group and control group. On the other hand, it was significantly increased in the ACP group compared with the respiratory load group and even with the control group. Although the serotonin level was not detected in the intact group and the control group, it was significantly increased in the ACP group compared to the respiratory load group. Results of this study indicate that ACP could affect respiratory rhythm via pre-BotC and BotC.

Free Research Field

鍼灸学