Activation of amygdala opioid receptors by electroacupuncture of Feng-Chi (GB20) acupoints exacerbates focal epilepsy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The effect of seizure suppression by acupuncture of Feng-Chi (GB20) acupoints has been documented in the ancient Chinese literature, Lingshu Jing (Classic of the Miraculous Pivot), however, there is a lack of scientific evidence to prove it. This current study was designed to elucidate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of bilateral Feng-Chi (GB20) acupoints on the epileptic activity by employing an animal model of focal epilepsy.

METHODS:

Administration of pilocarpine into the left central nucleus of amygdala (CeA) induced the focal epilepsy in rats. Rats received a 30-min 100 Hz EA stimulation of bilateral Feng-Chi acupoints per day, beginning at 30 minutes before the dark period and performing in three consecutive days. The broad-spectrum opioid receptor antagonist (naloxone), μ-receptor antagonist (naloxonazine), δ-receptor antagonist (naltrindole) and κ-receptor antagonist (nor-binaltorphimine) were administered directly into the CeA to elucidate the involvement of CeA opioid receptors in the EA effect.

RESULTS:

High-frequency (100 Hz) EA stimulation of bilateral Feng-Chi acupoints did not suppress the pilocarpine-induced epileptiform electroencephalograms (EEGs), whereas it further increased the duration of epileptiform EEGs. We also observed that epilepsy occurred while 100 Hz EA stimulation of Feng-Chi acupoints was delivered into naïve rats. EA-induced augmentation of epileptic activity was blocked by microinjection of naloxone, μ- (naloxonazine), κ- (nor-binaltorphimine) or δ-receptor antagonists (natrindole) into the CeA, suggesting that activation of opioid receptors in the CeA mediates EA-exacerbated epilepsy.

CONCLUSIONS:

The present study suggests that high-frequency (100 Hz) EA stimulation of bilateral Feng-Chi acupoints has no effect to protect against pilocarpine-induced focal epilepsy; in contrast, EA further exacerbated focal epilepsy induced by pilocarpine. Opioid receptors in the CeA mediated EA-induced exacerbation of focal epilepsy.

• Authors: Pei-Lu Yi, Chin-Yu Lu, Chiung-Hsiang Cheng, Yi-Fong Tsai, Chung-Tien Lin, Fang-Chia Chang
• Journal: BMC complementary and alternative medicine (BMC Complement Altern Med) Vol. 13 Pg. 290 (Oct 29 2013) ISSN: 1472-6882 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24165229 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Narcotic Antagonists
• Receptors, Opioid

Topics

• Acupuncture Points
• Amygdala (metabolism)
• Animals
• Electroacupuncture
• Epilepsies, Partial (metabolism, therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Narcotic Antagonists (pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Receptors, Opioid (genetics, metabolism)