Activation of Mast Cells by Acupuncture Stimuli

In traditional Chinese medicine, selected points on the body surface, the acupuncture points, are treated by various physical stimuli. Degranulation of subcutaneous mast cells has been suggested to be involved in initiation of the acupuncture effects. Here we give an overview on our recent research illustrating that ion channels in mast cell membranes can be activated by mechanical and red-laser-light stimuli. These stimuli can induce degranulation of the human mast cell line HMC1 as well as mast cells in connective tissue of rats. For HMC1 we also could show that the stimulation led to an increase in intracellular Ca2+. Activation of transient receptor potential channels sensitive to valinoid (TRPV) may be involved in initiation of the degranulation process. A stretch-activated anion channel may also be involved.