Expressions of preproenkephalin mRNA during electroacupuncture analgesia enhanced by fenfluramine.
OBJECTIVE
To study the changes of preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA in rat brain in response to electroacupuncture (EA) combined with fenfluramine (Fen), a releaser of 5-HT.


METHODS
In situ hybridization histochemistry technique was used to observe the expression of PPE mRNA in rat brain during EA analgesia potentiated by Fen.


RESULTS
The greatest relative increase of PPE mRNA was seen in lumbar spinal cord (laminae I & II), nucleus raphe magnus, dorsal raphe nucleus, periaqueductal gray, interpeduncular nucleus, preoptic lateral area, amygdala nucleus and caudate-putamen (P < 0.01, vs NS + EA). Moderate increases were found in lateral septal, preoptic medial area, hypothalamus ventromedial nucleus, lumbar spinal laminae III & IV (P < 0.05, vs NS + EA). Thalamus showed no statistical significant change in PPE mRNA.


CONCLUSIONS
The enhancing of PPE mRNA in relative brain nuclei is involved in potentiating action of Fen on EA.
Li
X Y
XY
State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Shanghai Medical University, China.
Zhu
C B
CB
Zhu
Y H
YH
Xu
S F
SF
D015667:Acupuncture Analgesia; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000235:genetics*; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D004745:Enkephalins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D005277:Fenfluramine; C033660:preproenkephalin