To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at Zusanli (ST36) acupoint on expression of sodium channels in mice inflammation pain model

• Main Authors: Hsiang-Ni Chen, 陳香霓
• Other Authors: Yi-Wen Lin
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/15696486214223422750

碩士 === 中國醫藥大學 === 針灸研究所碩士班 === 100 === Aim Voltage-gated sodium channels (Navs）are crucial in modulating neuron excitability especially in nociceptive primary afferent to transduction pain signal. Of all the ten sodium channels, Nav 1.7,Nav 1.8 and Nav 1.9 channels are involved in several pain models. Recent studies have reported that Nav 1.7, Nav 1.8 but not Nav 1.9 can be up-regulated during carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain in dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Acupuncture is highly used and known to ameliorate pain sensation by releasing opioid and adenosine. In this study, we examined the curative effect on acupuncture in inflammatory pain and relationship with Nav sodium channels. Method We used 18 ICR female mice which divided into control, inflammatory and electroacupuncture groups. Animals receiving electroacupuncture （EA） 15 minutes/day for 4 consecutive days. Then we collected the ipsilateral L3-5 DRGs and analyzed the changes of sodium ion channels. Result and Conclusion Our results showed that EA at Zusanli acupoint at 2Hz stimulation reduced mechanical pain from inflammatory pain. Noticeable, the expression of Nav 1.7 and Nav 1.8 were increased at 4 day time and further attenuated by 2Hz EA stimulation. The results can not be observed in Nav 1.9 sodium channels by both immunohistochemistry and Western blot technique in a distinct population of DRG neurons. These results demonstrate that EA at Zusanli reduced carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain by reducing Nav 1.7 and Nav 1.8 overexpression rather than Nav 1.9 in DRGs.