Hyperalgesia and functional plasticity are the important components of acupoint sensitization. Reveal of the neuromechanism of acupoint sensitization may play a positive role in promoting the development of acupuncturology in the world. The nociceptors, including Aδ and C subtypes distributing in the acupoint region and target organs, are responsible for the transmission of signals of peripheral noxious stimuli and acupuncture-liking stimulation to the dorsal horns of the spinal cord and supraspinal levels. A previous study reveals that the C type nociceptors are involved in the acupoint sensitization. Recent studies indicate that there exists a subtype of mechanical responsiveness in the C type receptors, named "silent nociceptor" which is awa-kened when diseases occur, being very similar to the dynamic sensitization characteristics of acupoints. Hence, we, in the present review, make a discussion about the role of C-type silent nociceptor in the hyperalgesia and functional plasticity of the sensitized acupoint according to previous studies and recent advances, so as to provide more ideas and opportunities for the investigation on the scientific characteristics of acupoints.
痛觉敏化及功能可塑性是敏化穴位的重要表现，研究穴位敏化的神经机制对针灸国际化发展具有重要意义。伤害感受器分布于腧穴及靶器官中，主要分为Aδ和C类两种亚型，负责响应并传递伤害性或针、灸等刺激至脊髓或脊髓上水平。前期研究指出，C类伤害感受器参与穴位敏化的神经机制；而新近研究指出，C类感受器中存在一类具有疾病时被“唤醒”并获得机械响应性的亚型——C类沉默型伤害感受器，与穴位的动态敏化特性十分相近。因此，本文以C类伤害感受器为切入点，结合前期穴位敏化在伤害感受器水平的研究进展，对敏化穴位在痛觉敏化及其功能可塑性方面与C类沉默型伤害感受器的可能性联系进行综述，以期为穴位的科学属性研究提供更多的思路与契机。.
Keywords: Acupoint sensitization; Axon reflex; Dorsal root reflex; Hyperalgesia; Plasticity; Silent nociceptor.