• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.27-36
• /
• 2005

Introduction : The aim of the study is to investigate the suppressive action of electroacupuncture on cold alloynia development in the rat model of neuopathic pain. Methods : To produce neuropathic pain, the right superior caudal trunk was resected $1{\sim}2\;mm$ between S1 and S2 spinal nerves. The rats were divided into control and four electroacupuncture groups: Two electroacupuncture groups were given 2 Hz or 100 Hz electroacupuncture for 20 minutes everyday after the sacral nerve injury. Other two electroacupuncture groups were given 2 Hz or 100 Hz electroacupuncture for 20 minutes just one session at one hour after the sacral nerve injury. The right point of Joksamni (ST36) was applied for electroacupuncture. The control group was induced neuropathic pain without electroacupuncture. The cold allodynia was assessed by immersing the tail in $4^{\circ}C$ water. The latency to an abrupt tail movement after rat tail immersion was measured with a cut-off time of 15 sec at 4th, 7th and 14th day after the sacral nerve injury. Results : The results were as follows; 1. At 4th experimental day, there were no significant differences between 2 Hz or 100 Hz electroacupuncture groups and the control group. 2. At 7th experimental day, everyday 2 Hz or 100 Hz electroacupuncture groups showed significant differences compared with the control group. But There were no significant differences between 2 Hz and 100 Hz electroacupuncture groups. 3. At 14th experimental day, everyday 2 Hz electroacupuncture group showed significant differences compared with the control group. But everyday 100 Hz electroacupuncture group showed no significant difference compared with the control group and everyday 2 Hz electroacupuncture group. 4. There were no significant differences between the control and 2 Hz or 100 Hz electroacupuncture groups which were done just one session at one hour after the surgery. 5. Everyday 2 Hz electroacupuncture group showed significant differences in the one session of the 100 Hz electroacupuncture group. Conclusion : Everyday 2 Hz electroacupuncture exerts a suppressive action on cold allodynia development in the rat model of neuropathic pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.240-251
• /
• 2004

Objective: We have studied to know effects of acupuncture at SI3, BL40, SI3 BL40 on mechnical allodynia, cold allodynia and c-fos protein expression in a model of neuropathic pain of rat. Methods: A model of neuropathic pain was made by injuring tibial nerve and sural nerve while common peroneal nerve was maintained. after 2 weeks, we performed behavioral tests for 7 days to try out mechnical 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: Mechanical allodynia in the SI3, BL40, SI3 BL40 groups were diminished compared with the control group. Cold allodynia in the SI3, BL40, SI3 BL40 groups were diminished compared with the control group. c-Fos protein expression on the central gray in the SI3 group were lower than that of the control group. Conclusions: We have noticed that acupuncture at SI3, BL40, SI3 BL40 diminished mechanical allodynia and cold allodynia in a 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 using acupunture was accumulated as time goes by. This study can be used as a basic resource on a study and a treatment of pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.21-27
• /
• 2009

Background: The neuropathic pain arising from nerve injury is difficult to treat and the therapeutic effects of opioid drugs remain debatable. Agonists acting at the ${\alpha}_2$ adrenergic and opioid receptors have analgesic properties and they act synergistically when co-administered in the spinal cord. The lack of subtype-selective pharmacological agents has previously impeded the synergistic effects that are mediated by the adrenergic receptor subtypes. Methods: We created neuropathic pain model by ligating the L5 spinal nerve in Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 18). We divided the rats into three groups (n = 6 for each group), and we administered intraperitoneal morphine (1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg) and then we measured the mechanical allodynia with using von-Frey filaments for 8 hours. We then injected morphine (5 mg/kg) intraperitoneally, twice a day for 2 weeks. We measured the tactile and cold allodynia in the morphine group (n = 9) and the saline group (n = 9). After 2 weeks, we decapitated the rats and harvested the spinal cords at the level of lumbar enlargement. We compared the ${\alpha}_2$ subtype mRNA expression with that of control group (n = 6) by performing real time polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR). Results: Intraperitoneal morphine reduced the neuropathic pain behavior in the dose-dependent manner. Chronic morphine administration showed an antiallodynic effect on the neuropathic pain rat model. The rats did not display tolerance or hyperalgesia. The expression of the mRNAs of the ${\alpha}_{2A}$, ${\alpha}_{2B}$, ${\alpha}_{2C}$ subtypes decreased, and morphine attenuated this effect. But we could not get statistically proven results. Conclusions: Systemic administration of morphine can attenuate allodynia during both the short-term and long-term time course. Morphine has an influence on the expression of ${\alpha}_2$ receptor subtype mRNA. Yet we need more research to determine the precise effect of morphine on the ${\alpha}_2$ subtype gene expression.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.101-112
• /
• 2002

Peripheral nerve injury results in plastic changes in the dorsal ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord, and is often complicated with neuropathic pain. The mechanisms underlying these changes are not known, but these changes seem to be most likely related to the neurotrophic factors. This study investigated the effects of mechanical peripheral nerve injury on expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the DRG and spinal cord in rats. 1) Bennett model and Chung model groups showed significantly increased percentage of small, medium and large BDNF-immunoreactive neurons in the ipsilateral $L_4$ DRG compared with those in the contralateral side at 1 and 2 weeks of the injury. 2) In the ipsilateral $L_5$ DRG of the Chung model, percentage of medium and large BDNF-immunoreactive neurons increased significantly at 1 week, whereas that of large BDNF-immunoreactive neurons decreased at 2 week when compared with those in the contralateral side. The intensity of immunoreactivity of each neuron was lower in the ipsilateral than in the contralateral DRG. 3) In the spinal cord, the Bennett and Chung model groups showed a markedly increased BDNF-immunoreactivity in axonal fibers of both superficial and deeper laminae. The present study demonstrates that peripheral nerve injury in neuropathic models altered the BDNF expression in the DRG and spinal cord. This may suggest important roles of BDNF in sensory abnormalities after nerve injury and in protecting the large-sized neurons in the damaged DRG.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.151-161
• /
• 2021

Objectives : The effects of a combined stimulation of 658 nm, 830 nm, 904 nm, and 1064 nm laser acupuncture treatment (LAT) and electroacupuncture treatment (EAT) on GB39 and GB34 on neuropathic pain in rats induced by tibial and sural nerve transection were studied in this paper. Methods : To express a neuropathic pain model, surgery was performed to transection rats' tibial and sural nerves. The rats were divided into normal group, control group, and experimental groups. In addition, the experimental groups were divided into 658 nm laser and electroacupuncture (LAT658+EAT), 830 nm laser and electroacupuncture (LAT830+EAT), 904 nm laser and electroacupuncture (LAT904+EAT), and 1064 nm laser and electroacupuncture (LAT830+EAT). For the treatment of the experimental groups, electroacupuncture and different laser wavelengths were alternately applied to GB34 and GB39 twice a week for 3 weeks for 1 minute 30 seconds. The withdrawal response of neuropathic rats' legs by acetone stimulation was observed, as well as the c-Fos in the central gray region in the midbrain of neuropathic rats together with Bax, Bcl2, and mGluR5 expressions associated with apoptosis. Results : Compared with the control group, a significant decrease in the frequency of paw withdrawal in response to acetone allodynia was observed in LAT658+EAT and LAT830+EAT groups in 6th times, LAT904+EAT group in 2^nd, 3^rd, and 6^th times, and LAT1064+EAT group in 2^nd and 6^th times, respectively. For c-fos positive cells in the central gray region, a significant decrease was observed in LAT830+EAT, LAT904+EAT, and LAT1064+EAT groups in comparison with the control group. In Bax expression, LAT1064+EAT group showed a significant decrease compared to the control group. In Bcl-2 expression, the LAT658+EAT,the LAT904+EAT, and the LAT1064+EAT groups increased significantly compared to the control group. LAT830+EAT, LAT904+EAT, and LAT1064+EAT groups showed significantly increased mGlu5 expression compared to the control group. Conclusions : The combination of laser for each wavelength and electroacupuncture alternately performed in this study is thought to be effective in improving neuropathic pain and apoptosis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.121-130
• /
• 2020

Background: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), manual acupuncture (MA), and spinal cord stimulation (SCS) are used to treat a variety of pain conditions. These non-pharmacological treatments are often thought to work through similar mechanisms, and thus should have similar effects for different types of pain. However, it is unclear if each of these treatments work equally well on each type of pain condition. The purpose of this study was to compared the effects of TENS, MA, and SCS on neuropathic, inflammatory, and non-inflammatory pain models. Methods: TENS 60 Hz, 200 ㎲, 90% motor threshold (MT), SCS was applied at 60 Hz, an intensity of 90% MT, and a 0.25 ms pulse width. MA was performed by inserting a stainless-steel needle to a depth of about 4-5 mm at the Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints on a spared nerve injury (SNI), knee joint inflammation (3% carrageenan), and non-inflammatory muscle pain (intramuscular pH 4.0 injections) in rats. Mechanical withdrawal thresholds of the paw, muscle, and/or joint were assessed before and after induction of the pain model, and daily before and after treatment. Results: The reduced withdrawal thresholds were significantly reversed by application of either TENS or SCS (P < 0.05). MA, on the other hand, increased the withdrawal threshold in animals with SNI and joint inflammation, but not chronic muscle pain. Conclusions: TENS and SCS produce similar effects in neuropathic, inflammatory and non-inflammatory muscle pain models while MA is only effective in inflammatory and neuropathic pain models.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.40 no.5
• /
• pp.611-619
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise on muscle weight and Type I and II fiber cross-sectional area of affected and unaffected hindlimb muscles in rats with neuropathic pain induced by unilateral peripheral nerve injury. Methods: Neuropathic pain was induced by ligation and cutting of the left L5 spinal nerve. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of two groups: The Pain+Exercise (PE) group (n=21) and the Sham+Exercise (SE) group (n=20). All rats had 28 sessions of treadmill exercise at grade 10 for 30 minutes, twice/day at 10 m/min for 14 days. Body weight, food intake and activity were measured every day. At 15 days all rats were anesthetized and soleus, plantaris and gastrocnemius muscles were dissected. Muscle weight and Type I, II fiber cross-sectional area of the dissected muscles were measured. Results: The PE group showed significant increases (p<.05), as compared to the SE group for body weight and total diet intake, muscle weight of the unaffected soleus and plantaris, and in Type I and II fiber cross-sectional area of unaffected three muscles and affected plantaris. Conclusion: Exercise for 14 days attenuates unaffected soleus, plantaris and gastrocnemius muscle atrophy in neuropathic pain model.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.119-134
• /
• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the analgesic effects of filiform acupuncture and laser acupuncture at the points of $TE_3{\cdot}GB_{41}$ in neuropathic pain induced rats. Methods : Neuropathic pain in rats was induced by partial resection of the tibial and sural nerves. Three weeks after the neuropathic surgery, each of the experimental groups(AT, LAT, AT + LAT and LAT + AT) was injected at the $TE_3{\cdot}GB_{41}$ twice per week for three weeks. Results : 1. All of the experimental groups(AT, LAT, AT + LAT and LAT + AT) showed a significant decrease in the plantar withdrawal response of allodynia and the thermal allodynia as compared with the control group. During the early phase, the AT and AT + LAT groups have been marked as more significant than the LAT + AT and LAT groups. 2. The expression of c-Fos significantly decreased in the LAT and LAT + AT groups as compared with the control group. 3. The LAT + AT group showed a significant decrease in Bax as compared with the control group. In each experimental groups(AT, LAT, AT + LAT and LAT + AT), Bcl-2 increased and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio decreased as compared with the control group. 4. The LAT, AT + LAT and LAT + AT groups showed a significant increase in mGluR5 as compared with the control group. Conclusions : These results represented that the filiform acupuncture and laser acupuncture at the $TE_3{\cdot}GB_{41}$ exerted anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects on the model of neuropathic pain, thereby suggesting that they should be available for decreasing mechanical allodynia.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.56-63
• /
• 2013

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.

• International Journal of Contents
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.74-81
• /
• 2012

The aim is to investigate the analgesic effect of transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS) on central neuropathic pain(CNP) in spinal cord contusive rat model. Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats($250{\pm}50$ g, male) were used. Thoracic spinal cord(T10) was contused using New York University(NYU) spinal cord impactor. The animals were randomly assigned to two groups; GroupI: Non-treatment after SCI induction(n=10), GroupII: application of tDCS(0.1 mA, 20 min/time, 2 times/day, 5 days/6week) after SCI induction(n=10). Assess the effect of tDCS using the Basso Beattie Bresnahan(BBB) locomotor rating scales, Touch $test^{TM}$ sensory evaluator(TTSE), Plantar test$^{\circledR}$after contusion at the $2^{nd}$, $3^{rd}$, $4^{th}$, $5^{th}$, $6^{th}$ week and the immunohistochemistric response of c-fos in the thalamus, cerebral cortex after contusion at the $3^{rd}$, $6^{th}$ week after SCI. The scores of BBB scales were significantly different from $3^{rd}$week. TTSE were different significantly over time, but there were no differences at each evaluation times on between-measure time effects. Plantar test were different significantly over time and there were difference at the $4^{th}$, $6^{th}$ week after SCI on between-measure time effects. Also, immunohistochemistric response of c-fos was reduced significantly from $3^{rd}$, $6^{th}$ week after SCI in tDCS group compared with control group in thalamus and cortex. These results identified that tDCS of non-invasive therapeutic method may have beneficial analgesic effect on CNP after SCI with behavioral test and immunohistochemical test.