Electroacupuncture (EA) has been regarded as an alternative treatment for inflammatory pain for several decades. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the antinociceptive effect of EA have not been thoroughly clarified. Previous studies have shown that cannabinoid CB1 receptors are related to pain relief. Accumulating evidence has shown that the CB1 and dopamine systems sometimes interact and may operate synergistically in rat striatum. To our knowledge, dopamine D1/D2 receptors are involved in EA analgesia. In this study, we found that repeated EA at Zusanli (ST36) and Kunlun (BL60) acupoints resulted in marked improvements in thermal hyperalgesia. Both western blot assays and FQ-PCR analysis results showed that the levels of CB1 expression in the repeated-EA group were much higher than those in any other group (P = 0.001). The CB1-selective antagonist AM251 inhibited the effects of repeated EA by attenuating the increases in CB1 expression. The two kinds of dopamine receptors imparted different actions on the EA-induced CB1 upregulation in AA rat model. These results suggested that the strong activation of the CB1 receptor after repeated EA resulted in the concomitant phenomenon of the upregulation of D1 and D2 levels of gene expression.

Background. Cerebral ischemia is known to produce brain damage and related behavioural deficits, including memory deficits and motor disorders. Evidence shows that EA significantly promotes recovery of neurological function and thus improves quality of life. Objective. Evidence exists for the involvement of catecholamines in human neuroplasticity. A better understanding of dopaminergic (DAergic) modulation in this process will be important. Methods. A total of 72 adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into 6 groups: normal, model, EA, spiperone group, EA + spiperone group, and pergolide. The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was used in all 6 groups except the normal group. A behavioural assessment was conducted at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after MCAO. The percent of brain infarct area was also determined 7 days after MCAO. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) fluorescence double labeling was performed in the striatum. Results. In this study, we found that EA at Fengchi (GB20) acupoints resulted in marked improvements based on a behavioural assessment. Both TTC staining and GAP-43 immunofluorescence labeling results showed that EA treatment reduced ischemia injury and promoted neuroplasticity compared with the model group. The D2R-selective agonist, pergolide, showed similar results, but these results were reversed by the D2R-selective antagonist, spiperone. We also found that there were more colocalization and expression of GAP-43 and TH in the EA and pergolide groups than those in the other groups. Conclusion. These results suggest that the neuroplasticity induced by EA was mediated by D2 autoreceptors in DAergic neurons.

【摘要】目的：观察针刺早期介入治疗急性缺血性中风的临床安全性和有效性。方法： 采用临床随机对照试验研究，将 90 例急性期患者随机分为药物组和针刺组，每组各 45 例。于治疗前后进行神经功能缺损评分、Bathel指数评分及血液生化指标的测定，对两组 进行组间和自身前后对照。结果：急性期针刺治疗前后神经功能评分和ADL评分有显著 差异(P＜0.01), 两组间相比有显著差异(P＜0.01) ，血脂与血流变指标无统计学差异。 结论：针刺早期介入治疗中风安全性高，可改善患者的致残程度，提高患者的生存质量。 【关键词】针刺疗法；中风；日常生活活动；血液流变学 【Abstract】Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of early acupuncture in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Methods: In clinical randomized controlled trial, 90 subjects were divided into drug group and acupuncture group, 45 cases in each group. The neurological deficit score, Bathel index and some blood laboratory indexes were detected before and after treatment in both groups. Results: In acute stage, there were striking differences in the neurological deficit score and activities of daily living (ADL) between before and after treatments in acupuncture group (P＜0.01), and between acupuncture group and drug group (P＜0.01); but there was no difference in blood lipid and rheology between two groups. Conclusion: Acupuncture is rather safe in the early treatment of acute ischemic stroke, and improvement of disability and the patients' quality of life. 【Key Words】Acupuncture Therapy; Stroke; Activities of Daily Living; Hemorheology 【CLC Number】R246.

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