• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.47-67
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• 2004

Objectives : In the present study, the effect of Scolopendrid Water-Alcohol Extract (SWAE) applied to acupuncture point BL23 (Shinsu) on the neuropathic pain was examined. A common source of persistent pain in humans is the neuropathic pain. Anti-convulsant drugs are used to treat the neuropathic pain. In the oriental medicine, Scolopendrid was used for long time to treat convulsant syndrome and back pain, etc. Methods : On the bases of the Scolopendrid clinical application, the effect of SWAE applied to the acupuncture point was tested in the rat model of neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. When rats developed pain behaviors, One hundred microliter of SWAE was applied into the ipsilateral BL23 point at a dose of 10 mg/ml under enflurane anesthesia. The foot withdraw latency of the hind limb was measured for an indicator of pain level after each manipulation. Results : SWAE injection increased the mechanical threshold of the foot in the rat model of neuropathic pain significantly for the duration of 4h, suggesting a partial alleviation of pain. SWAE applied to BL23 point produced a significant improvement of mechanical sensitivity of the foot lasting for at least 4h. However, neither contralateral BL23 point, ST25 (Chonchu) point, nor LR3 (Taechung) point produce as much increase of mechanical sensitivity as ipsilateral BL23 point. And, this increase of mechanical sensitivity was dose-dependent. The improvement of mechanical threshold was interpreted as an analgesic effect. In addition, the analgesic effect of Scolopendrid 4 mg/kg injection is equivalent to that of gabapentin 50 mg/kg injection. The relations between SWAE-induced analgesia and endogenous nitric oxide(NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS)/neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) were also examined. Results were turned out that both NO production and nNOS/iNOS protein expression which are increased by nerve injury were suppressed by SWAE injection applied to BL23 point. Conclusions : The data suggest 1) that SWAE produces a potent analgesic effect on the neuropathic pain model in the rat and 2) that SWAE-induced analgesia modulate endogenous NO through the suppression of nNOS/iNOS protein expression.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.59-76
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• 2004

Objectives : The usage of acupuncture has gained popularity for certain chronic pain conditions. However, the efficacy of acupuncture in various diseases has not been fully established and the underlying mechanism is not clearly understood. In the present study, the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) applied to yangno$(SI_6)$ on the neuropathic pain was examined. Methods : A common source of persistent pain in human is a neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. When rats developed pain behaviors, EA was applied for 30 min. under enflurane anesthesia with repeated train stimuli at the intensity of 10X of muscle twitch threshold. The foot withdraw latency of the hind limb was measured for an indicator of pain level after each manipulation. Results : EA increased the mechanical threshold of the foot in the rat model of neuropathic pain significantly for the duration of 1 hr. suggesting a partial alleviation of pain. EA applied to SI6 point produced a significant improvement of mechanical sensitivity of the foot lasting for at least 1 h. However, $ST_{36}$ point did not produce any significant increase of mechanical sensitivity. The improvement of mechanical threshold was interpreted as an analgesic effect. The analgesic effort was specific to the acupuncture point since the analgesic effect on the neuropathic pain model could not be mimicked by EA applied to a point, $ST_{36}$. In addition, this analgesic effect of EA is mediated by a adrenergic mechanism of descending control of spinal cord from the brain. Conclusions : The data suggest that EA produces a potent analgesic effect on the neuropathic pain model in the rat; and 2) that EA-induced analgesia is mediated by a adrenergic mechanism of descending control in a point specific manner.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.143-153
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• 1999

Background: The vasoreactivity of cerebral artery is currently the subject of increasing interest Transcranial Doppler The purpose of this study was to investigate the analgesic effect of acupuncture in a model of neuropathic pain produced by segmental spinal nerve injury (SSI) in rats. The left L5 and L6 spinal nerves of Sprague-Dawley rats were tightly ligated, and one week later, manual or electro-acupuncture was applied for 30 minutes to the contralateral hindlimb (right side) while the animal was lightly anesthetized with halothane. The mechanical threshold of the paw for ipsilateral (left side) hind limb flinching was determined prior to and 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 24 hours after termination of acupuncture. The mechanical threshold for flinching was significantly elevated for about 4 hours after manual acupuncture applied to the BL. 60 (Kunlun) point or electro-acupuncture to the BL. 60 and BL. 40 (Weizhong) points. However, manual acupuncture applied to the ST. 36 (Zusanli) point was not effective. Furthermore, systemic naloxone pretreatment had no effect on the acupuncture induced threshold elevation. These data suggests that acupuncture produces a point specific, naloxone independent analgesia in a rat neuropathic pain model. ※ This paper is supported by a grant from the '1996 Jusan Foundation of Wonkwang university.)

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.6-11
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• 2015

Objective : Neuropathic pain causes patients feel indescribable pain. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is one of the treatment methods in neuropathic pain but the action mechanism is still unclear. To study the effect and mechanism of analgesic effects from DBS in neuropathic pain and to enhance the analgesic effect of DBS, we stimulated the ventral posterolateral nucleus (VPL) in rats. Methods : To observe the effect from VPL stimulation, we established 3 groups : normal group (Normal group), neuropathic pain group (Pain group) and neuropathic pain+DBS group (DBS group). Rats in DBS group subjected to electrical stimulation and the target is VPL. Results : We observed the behavioral changes by DBS in VPL (VPL-DBS) on neuropathic pain rats. In our study, the pain score which is by conventional test method was effectively decreased. In specific, the time of showing withdrawal response from painful stimulation which is not used measuring method in our animal model was also decreased by DBS. Conclusion : The VPL is an effective target on pain modulation. Specifically we could demonstrate changes of pain response duration which is not used, and it was also significantly meaningful. We thought that this study would be helpful in understanding the relation between VPL-DBS and neuropathic pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.215-224
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• 2001

Objcetive : Neuropathic pain sometimes arises from a partial peripheral nerve injury. This kind of pain is usually accompanied by spontaneous burning pain, allodynia and hyperalgesia. It has been well known that acupuncture is effective to the pain control from ancient time in Asia. However, it is not clear whether acupuncture can control neuropathic pain. The aim of the present study is to examine if acupuncture stimulation may be effective to the mechanical allodynia in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Methods : To produce neuropathic pain, under sodium pentobarbital anesthesia, the right superior caudal trunk was resected between the S3 and S4 spinal nerves. After the neuropathic surgery, we examined if the animals exhibited the behavioral signs of mechanical allodynia. The mechanical allodynia was assessed by stimulating the tail with von Frey hair (bending force : 2.0g). three or 6 weeks after the neuropathic surgery, acupuncture stimulation was delivered to Houxi (SI 3) as the following parameters (2HZ frequency, 0.07mA intensity and 3msec duration) for 30 minutes. Results : The stimulation of Houxi (SI 3) acupoint relieved the behavioral signs of mechanical allodynia. Conclusion : Our results suggest that acupuncture can control the mechanical allodynia of neuropathic pain.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.252-259
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• 2016

Neuropathic pain is a complex state showing increased pain response with dysfunctional inhibitory neurotransmission. The TREK family, one of the two pore domain $K^+$ (K2P) channel subgroups were focused among various mechanisms of neuropathic pain. These channels influence neuronal excitability and are thought to be related in mechano/thermosensation. However, only a little is known about the expression and role of TREK-1 and TREK-2, in neuropathic pain. It is performed to know whether TREK-1 and/or 2 are positively related in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of a mouse neuropathic pain model, the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model. Following this purpose, Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analyses were performed using mouse DRG of CCI model and compared to the sham surgery group. Immunofluorescence staining of isolectin-B4 (IB4) and TREK were performed. Electrophysiological recordings of single channel currents were analyzed to obtain the information about the channel. Interactions with known TREK activators were tested to confirm the expression. While both TREK-1 and TREK-2 mRNA were significantly overexpressed in DRG of CCI mice, only TREK-1 showed significant increase (~9 fold) in western blot analysis. The TREK-1-like channel recorded in DRG neurons of the CCI mouse showed similar current-voltage relationship and conductance to TREK-1. It was easily activated by low pH solution (pH 6.3), negative pressure, and riluzole. Immunofluorescence images showed the expression of TREK-1 was stronger compared to TREK-2 on IB4 positive neurons. These results suggest that modulation of the TREK-1 channel may have beneficial analgesic effects in neuropathic pain patients.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.895-897
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• 2009

Lonicera japonica has been widely used for chronic inflammatory diseases in many Asian countries. Its analgesic effect has not been explored yet. This study aimed to test the analgesic potential of methanol extracts from Lonicera japonica (MELJ) in rat neuropathic mctel. Neuropathic pain was pacts ed by partial sciatic nerve injury. Two weeks after surgery, neuropathic rats received oral administration of MELJ at doses of either 0.0 g/kg, 0.2 g/kg or 0.4 g/kg. At dose of 0.0 g, rats were administered with saline only and used as conracl. The behavioral tests for f 0.0 g, raand ccld hs were adma were weformed up to 2 hours after treatment. The MELJ at the dose 0.4 g/kg dmg gfg, ntly alleviated f 0.0 g, rahyperalgesia, but not cold hyperalgesia. These results showed that the MELJ had, although transient, analgesic effect on mechanical hyperalgesia in the rat neuropathic model.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.88-95
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of neuropathic pain by peripheral nerve injury on mass and Type I and II fiber cross-sectional areas on hindlimb muscles of the neuropathic pain model rat. Method: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight 200-220 g) were assigned to one of two groups: a neuropathic pain group (n=7) that had a ligation of the left L5 spinal nerve, a control group (n=5), a naive rat without any procedures. Withdrawal threshold, activity, body weight and food intake were measured daily. At 8 days after neuropathic pain, all rats were anesthetized and the soleus and plantaris muscles were dissected from the both hindlimbs. Body weight, food intake, muscle weight and Type I and II fiber cross-sectional area of the dissected muscles were determined. Result: The neuropathic pain group showed a significant decreases (p<.05) as compared with the control rats, in diet intake, body weight, muscle weight and Type II fiber cross-sectional area of the left (affected side) soleus and plantaris muscles, and the right (unaffected side) muscle weight of plantaris and Type II fiber cross-sectional area of the soleus muscle. Conclusion: The hindlimb muscle atrophy occurs in both affected and unaffected side due to neuropathic pain by the peripheral nerve injury. The hindlimb muscle atrophy of the affected side is more pronounced than that of the unaffected side.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.90-94
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• 2019

Objectives: Paclitaxel (PTX) as an anticancer drug used against solid cancers, possesses adverse reactions such as neuropathic pain which has confined its use. PTX-induced neuropathic pain is mediated via activation of oxidative stress. Berberine (BER), an isoquinoline phytochemical found in several plants, exerts strong antioxidant and painkilling properties. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate pain-relieving effect of BER in a mouse model of PTX-induced neuropathic pain. Methods: This study was done using 42 male albino mice that were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 7) as follow: Sham-operated (not treated with PTX), negative control group (PTX-treated mice receiving normal saline), BER 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg (PTX-treated mice receiving BER) and positive control group (PTX-treated mice receiving imipramine 10 mg/kg). Neuropathic pain was induced by intraperitoneal administration of four doses of PTX (2 mg/kg/day) on days 1, 3, 5 and 7. Then, on day 7, hot plate test was done to assess latency to heat to measure possible anti-neuropathic pain effect of BER. Results: Four doses of PTX 2 mg/kg/day induced neuropathy that was reduced by BER at all time-points (i.e. 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min) after injection (P < 0.001 in comparison to control). The statistical analysis of data showed significant differences between groups (P < 0.001 in comparison to negative control), at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after injection of BER 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg; in other words, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after BER administration, neuropathic pain was significantly reduced as compared to normal saline-treated mice. Conclusion: Altogether, our results showed that PTX could induce neuropathic pain as reflected by hyperalgesia and BER could alleviate PTX-induced thermal hyperalgesia.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.50-60
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• 2005

Objective : We have studied to know effects of Ligigeopoongsan(LGS, 理氣祛風散) on mechanical allodynia, cold allodynia and c-Fos protein expression in the model of neuropathic pain of rats. Methods : The model of neuropathic pain was made by injured tibial nerve and sural never while common peroneal never was maintained. After 2weeks, we performed behavioral test for 7 days to try out mechanical allodynia using von frey filament and cold allodynia using acetone, which are calculated by counting withdrawal response on foot. Rat brains removed and sliced on 8th days. Serial sections were immunohistochemically reacted with polyclonal c-Fos antibody. The numbers of c-Fos protein immunoreactive neurons in the central gray were examined using scion image program. Results : 1. Mechanical allodynia in LGS-2, LGS-3 groups were significantly diminished compared with the control group. 2. Cold allodynia in LGS-3 group was significantly diminished compared with the control group. 3. c-Fos protein expression on the central gray LGS-2, LGS-3 groups were significantly lower than that of control group. conclusions : We have noticed that LGS(理氣祛風散) diminished mechanical and cold allodynia in the model of neuropathic pain compared with the control group. c-Fos protein expression in the central gray of that group was also decreased compared with the control group. Pain control group were LGS was accumulated time goes by. This study can be used as a basic resource on a study and a treatment of pain.