Effects of electroacupuncture on oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic cold hypersensitivity in rats.

Abstract

This study investigated whether and how electroacupuncture (EA) attenuates cold hypersensitivity (allodynia) in a rat model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain. Cold allodynia [evaluated by immersing the tail into cold water (4 °C) and measuring the withdrawal latency] was induced 3 days after an oxaliplatin administration (6 mg/kg, i.p.). EA stimulation (2/100 Hz, 0.3-ms pulse duration, 0.2-0.3 mA) was delivered to ST36 acupoint or non-acupoint for 20 min. Low-frequency (2 Hz) EA at ST36 relieved cold allodynia more effectively than high-frequency EA at ST36 or low-frequency EA at non-acupoint. Naloxone (opioid antagonist, 2 mg/kg, i.p.) completely blocked such EA-induced anti-allodynia, whereas phentolamine (α-adrenergic antagonist, 2 mg/kg, i.p.) did not. Moreover, plasma β-endorphin levels significantly increased right after the end of EA and subsequently decreased. These results indicate that low-frequency EA at ST36 in rats has a marked relieving effect on oxaliplatin-induced cold allodynia that is mediated by the endogenous opioid, but not noradrenergic, system.

• Authors: Hak Jin Moon, Bong-Soo Lim, Dae-Il Lee, Min Sook Ye, Giseog Lee, Byung-Il Min, Hyunsu Bae, Heung Sik Na, Sun Kwang Kim
• Journal: The journal of physiological sciences : JPS (J Physiol Sci) Vol. 64 Issue 2 Pg. 151-6 (Mar 2014) ISSN: 1880-6562 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 24158835 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists
• Narcotic Antagonists
• Organoplatinum Compounds
• Oxaliplatin
• Naloxone
• beta-Endorphin
• Phentolamine

Topics

• Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists (pharmacology)
• Animals
• Behavior, Animal
• Cold Temperature
• Disease Models, Animal
• Electroacupuncture
• Hyperalgesia (blood, chemically induced, physiopathology, therapy)
• Male
• Naloxone (pharmacology)
• Narcotic Antagonists (pharmacology)
• Organoplatinum Compounds
• Oxaliplatin
• Pain Threshold
• Phentolamine (pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Reaction Time
• Time Factors
• beta-Endorphin (blood)