title: Effects of electroacupuncture intervention on expression of cyclooxygenase 2 and microglia in spinal cord in rat model of neuropathic pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment on the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 and microglia in spinal cord by using rat model of neuropathic pain, and to probe into the relationship between COX 2 and microglia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, including normal control group, model group, sham group, EA 1 group (distant acupoints + local acupoints), EA 2 group (local acupoints), and EA 3 group (distant acupoints). Thermal withdrawal latencies were evaluated at 1 day preoperatively and 3, 5 and 7 days postoperatively. At 7 days postoperatively, the spinal COX 2 mRNA was detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Double immunofluorescent staining technology was applied to screen and verify the relationship between altered COX 2 and microglia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the model group, thermal withdrawal latencies increased after EA treatment (P<0.01). The expressions of COX 2 mRNA were up-regulated in spinal cord of rat on day 7 after surgery (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, EA stimulation (EA 1 and EA 2 groups) reversed the up-regulation of COX 2 mRNA expression (P<0.05). EA 1 and EA 2 groups might have better treatment effect compared with the EA 3 group. Fluorescent images displayed COX 2 and microglia expressed at common areas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EA was effective in analgesic and anti-inflammatory. EA has decreased the expression of spinal COX 2 mRNA in the trend of the therapeutic effect of "distant acupoints + local acupoints", and "local acupoints" intervention may be superior to that of "distant acupoints" intervention. Microglia may be related to the formation of COX 2.
authors: School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
authors: Li-Li
authors: LL
authors: Ji
authors: School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
authors: Meng-Wei
authors: MW
authors: Guo
authors: School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China. rxiujun@163.com.
authors: Xiu-Jun
authors: XJ
authors: Ren
authors: School of Basic Medical Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
authors: Dong-Yu
authors: DY
authors: Ge
authors: School of Basic Medical Science, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
authors: Gen-Mao
authors: GM
authors: Li
authors: School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
authors: Ya
authors: Y
authors: Tu
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia; D000818:Animals; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D008297:Male; D017628:Microglia / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2
keywords: cyclooxygenase 2; electroacupuncture; microglia; neuropathic pain; spinal cord