title: Effects of electroacupuncture on capsaicin-induced model of atopic dermatitis in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Electroacupuncture (EA) is used as a prescription to treat pruritus and atopic dermatitis. Whether EA affects experimental itch in rat models of immunologic or neuronal damages, however, is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to determine the therapeutic effects of high-frequency EA on atopic dermatitis-like lesions in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Capsaicin (50mg/kg) was subcutaneously administered rat pups within 48h after birth. Rats then underwent 30min of EA at six acupoints (bilateral BL13, and unilateral LI11, ST36, SP10, SP6) every other day (EA group) for 3 weeks. Measurements of IgE, mast cells, scratching behavior, dynorphin release, skin thickness and dermatitis score were obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only the dermatitis score and dynorphin expression were decreased in the EA group compared with the control non-EA group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that high-frequency EA alleviates pruritus of atopic dermatitis-like lesions in rats induced by capsaicin injection, via the release of dynorphin. These findings indicate a new potential therapeutic approach for the amelioration of symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Opthalmotolaryngology & Dermatology, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dal-Lim
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Acupuncture & Moxibusition, Dongguk University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Deok
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Opthalmotolaryngology & Dermatology, Kyunghee University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: In-Hwa
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Korea University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Heung-Sik
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Na
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Opthalmotolaryngology & Dermatology, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: heenthsu@daum.net.
authors.forename: Seung-Ug
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001835:Body Weight; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000737:chemistry*; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004399:Dynorphins / Q000378:metabolism; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology; D010641:Phenotype; D011537:Pruritus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy; D051381:Rats; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D004399:Dynorphins; D002211:Capsaicin
keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Capsaicin; Dynorphin; Electroacupuncture; Pruritus; Rat model