title: 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.affiliation: Department of East-West Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hak Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Bong-Soo
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Dae-Il
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Min Sook
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Giseog
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Byung-Il
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Hyunsu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Heung Sik
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Na
authors.forename: Sun Kwang
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D017288:Pain Threshold; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011930:Reaction Time; D013997:Time Factors; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D009270:Naloxone; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D010646:Phentolamine