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http://dx.doi.org/10.14406/acu.2017.021

Electroacupuncture Applied to LR2 Ameliorates Pain Behavior in The Rat Model of Inflammatory Pain  

Koo, Sungtae (Department of Korean Medical Science, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University)
Choi, Woo Young (Division of Meridian and Structural Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University)
Publication Information
Korean Journal of Acupuncture / v.34, no.4, 2017 , pp. 265-270 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives : The present study aimed to examine the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture(EA) applied to the brook point of the Liver meridian in the rat model of inflammatory pain and to investigate involvement of endogenouse opioid in the EA-induced analgesia. Methods : Knee arthritis was induced by injection of $125{\mu}l$ of complete Freund's adjuvant into the knee joint cavity unilaterally. To examine the level of pain, weight bearing forces(WBFs) of affected limb was measured. EA treatment was given at the LR2, LI4 or non-acupoint on the contralateral limb with frequency of 2 Hz and intensity of 2 mA under gaseous anesthesia. Results : After induction of arthritis, rats subsequently showed a reduced stepping force of the affected hindlimb due to a painful knee. EA applied to the LR2 point on the contralateral hind limb produced a significant improvement of stepping force of the hind limb lasting for at least 2 h, and this effect was equivalent to that obtained by 5 mg/kg of oral indomethacin. The effect of EA was specific to the acupoint since it could not be mimicked by EA applied to the LI4 point or the arbitrary non-acupoint. The analgesic effect was blocked by pretreatment with naltrexone(10 mg/kg, i.p.). Conclusions : These results suggest that acupuncture applied to LR2, brook point of Liver meridian suppresses inflammatory pain in a rat model of knee arthritis and this effect seems to be mediated by endogenous opioid systems.
Keywords
electroacupuncture; brook point; arthritis; complete freund's adjuvant; opioid;
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