Effect of laser acupoint irradiation on monoamine neurotransmitter in the hypothalamus of insomnia rats

Objective To observe the effect of laser acupoint irradiation on the content of monoamine neurotransmitter such as N-Acetyl-5-Hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),5-Hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid(5-HIAA),Dopamine(DA) and L-Noradrenaline(NA) in the hypothalamus of insomnia rats caused by DL-P-Chlorophenylalanine(PCPA),and investigate the mechanism of laser acupoint irradiation treatment of insomnia.Methods 24 female SD rats were divided randomly into 4 groups with 6 rats in each group,i.e.the control group,the model group,the diazepam group and the laser acupoint irradiation group.The model of insomnia rats were established by PCPA abdominal injection and the acupoints of Shenmen(HT7) and Sanyinjiao(SP6) were chosed to be irradiated by He-Ne laser.The change of 5-HT,5-HIAA,DA,NE in the hypothalamus of rats were observed by Fluorescence spectrophotometry.Results After laser acupoint irradiation treatment,the content of 5-HT and 5-HIAA increased obviously in contrast with the model group(P0.01) and the diazepam group(P0.05),while that of NE and DA decreased obviously in contrast with the model group(P0.05) and the diazepam group(P0.05).Conclusion The mechanisms of laser acupoint irradiation in treating insomnia may related to its regulation on monoamine neurotransmitter.