title: Interaction of diazepam and naloxone on acupuncture induced pain relief.
abstract: We have studied if 2 Hz electroacupuncture alleviates chronic nociceptive pain and if so whether the alleviation was related to the release of endogenous opioids. Thirty-two patients suffering from osteoarthritis were subjected to electroacupuncture, with or without pretreatment with naloxone or diazepam. The effect of the different experimental procedures was assessed using scales for the intensity (sensory component) and unpleasantness (affective component) of pain. Electroacupuncture induced a significant alleviation of pain. This alleviation was more significant on the affective scales (p less than 0.01) than on the sensory scales (p less than 0.05). After pretreatment with diazepam or naloxone, the subsequent pain alleviating effect was reduced. These data indicate that acupuncture induced analgesia may partly be mediated through endogenous opioids which are affected by pretreatment with diazepam or naloxone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Danderyds Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lundeberg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lundeberg
mesh_terms: D015667:Acupuncture Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000379:methods*; D004723:Endorphins / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D009270:Naloxone; D003975:Diazepam