title: Electroacupuncture Treatment Alleviates Central Poststroke Pain by Inhibiting Brain Neuronal Apoptosis and Aberrant Astrocyte Activation.
abstract: Electroacupuncture (EA) is reported to effectively relieve the central poststroke pain (CPSP). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The present study investigated the detailed mechanisms of action of EA treatment at different frequencies for CPSP. A CPSP model was established with a single collagenase injection to the left ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus. The EA-treated groups then received EA treatment at frequency of 2, 2/15, or 15 Hz for 30 min daily for five days. The pain-related behavioral responses, neuronal apoptosis, glial activation, and the expression of pain signal transmission-related factors (β-catenin, COX-2, and NK-1R) were assessed using behavioral tests, Nissl staining, TUNEL staining, and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. The low-frequency EA treatment significantly (1) reduced brain tissue damage and hematoma sizes and (2) inhibited neuronal apoptosis, thereby exerting abirritative effects. Meanwhile, the high-frequency EA treatment induced a greater inhibition of the aberrant astrocyte activation, accompanied by the downregulation of the expressions of COX-2,β-catenin, and subsequently NK-1R, thereby alleviating inflammation and producing strong analgesic effects. Together, these findings suggest that CPSP is closely related to pathological changes of the neocortex and hippocampus. EA treatments at different frequencies may exert abirritative effects by inhibiting brain neuronal apoptosis and aberrant astrocyte activation in the brain.
authors: Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of MOE, Beijing Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China; Department of Tuina and Pain, Beijing Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China; Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan 610041, China.
authors: Gui-Hua
authors: GH
authors: Tian
authors: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, No. 182, Minyuan Road, Wuhan 430074, China.
authors: Shan-Shan
authors: SS
authors: Tao
authors: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, No. 182, Minyuan Road, Wuhan 430074, China.
authors: Man-Tang
authors: MT
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, No. 182, Minyuan Road, Wuhan 430074, China.
authors: Yu-Sang
authors: YS
authors: Li
authors: Chinese Evidence-Based Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan 610041, China.
authors: You-Ping
authors: 0000-0003-3187-511X
authors: YP
authors: Li
authors: Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of MOE, Beijing Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China.
authors: Hong-Cai
authors: HC
authors: Shang
authors: Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of MOE, Beijing Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China; Department of Tuina and Pain, Beijing Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China.
authors: Xiao-Yi
authors: XY
authors: Tang
authors: Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of MOE, Beijing Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China.
authors: Jian-Xin
authors: JX
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, No. 182, Minyuan Road, Wuhan 430074, China.
authors: He-Bin
authors: 0000-0002-2673-7882
authors: HB
authors: Tang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059408:Pain Management; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C495268:Ctnnb1 protein, rat; D051176:beta Catenin; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C489691:Ptgs2 protein, rat