Effects of acupuncture on tear secretion (BL-2, TH-23 and Tai-Yang acupoints) and intraocular pressure (LI-4, LIV-3 and GB-37 acupoints) in beagle dogs

Abstract

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of the acupuncture technique on tear secretion (TS) and intraocular pressure (IOP). Ten healthy beagle dogs were enrolled in the study. The acupoints BL -2, TH- 23 and Tai-yang (orbital region) were stimulated within 30 minutes to assess their influence on the TS. On the other hand, modifications of the IOP were evaluated after stimulating the acupoints LI -4 (upper limb), and LIV-3 and GB-37 (hind limb). TS and IOP were assessed by Schirmer test and applanation tonometer, respectively. All data was obtained at the same time intervals: T0 = control values, T5 (5 min), T15 (15 min), T30 (30 min) and T60 (60 min) from the withdrawal of the needles. Stimulation of the TS acupoints showed the following results: T0 18.95 ± 3.60 mm/min; T5 24.50 ± 3.79 mm/min; T15 25.70 ± 3.91 mm/min; T30 25.90 ± 4.75 mm/min; T60 21.90 ± 5.09 mm/min. Stimulation of the IOP acupoints showed the following results: T0 22.00 ± 2.06 mmHg; T5 15.90 ± 1.57 mmHg; T15 13.70 ± 1.65 mmHg; T30 12.65 ± 1.70 mmHg; T60 13.95 ± 1.83 mmHg. The results obtained show that acupuncture technique in dogs might be useful in the treatment the pathologies involving tear hyposecretion and/or increased intraocular pressure.