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http://dx.doi.org/10.14406/acu.2013.30.1.056

Repetitive Electroacupuncture Alleviate Neuropathic Pain in Association with Suppressing Activation of Spinal Glial Cells  

Lee, Heun Joo (Division of Meridian and Structural Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University)
Jeong, Bo Eun (Division of Meridian and Structural Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University)
Song, Da Eun (Division of Meridian and Structural Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University)
Park, Min Young (Division of Meridian and Structural Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University)
Koo, Sungtae (Division of Meridian and Structural Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University)
Publication Information
Korean Journal of Acupuncture / v.30, no.1, 2013 , pp. 56-63 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives : Effects of repetitive electroacupuncture(EA) on the pain behavior and activation of spinal glial cells were examined in the rat model of neuropathic pain. Methods : Twenty one adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups(control group, SP6 group, ST36+GB34 group). Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. Mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity of hind paw were tested. Immunohistochemistry was performed in spinal cord L5/6 of all groups. EA was treated once in a day from the $5^{th}$ day after surgery. Results : EA treatments applied to ST36 and GB34 reduced significantly both of mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity after 3 times of treatment throughout the experiments. In the SP6 group, the analgesic effect was also shown after 7 times of treatment. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated inhibition of microglia and astrocyte activation in the spinal cord L5/6 dorsal horn in the ST36+GB34 group. Conclusions : The present results suggest that repetitive EA exert strong analgesic effect on neuropathic pain. These analgesic effects in neuropathic pain are associated with suppressing the activation of microglia and astrocyte.
Keywords
neuropathic pain; electroacupuncture; spinal nerve ligation; glial activation;
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