Objectives We investigated acupuncture, a potential contributor for burn-care, on physiological and pathological pain mechanisms and systemic and local inflammatory responses in a rat experimental burn model. Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups. One-hour groups(5 rats/group) were observed for 1 hour and included Sh1(sham/observation), ShA1(sham+acupuncture/observation), Brn1(burn/observation), and BrnA1(burn+acupuncture/observation). Seven-day groups(5 rats/group) were observed for 7 days and included Sh7(sham/observation), ShA7(sham+acupuncture/observation), Brn7(burn/observation), and BrnA7(burn+acupuncture/observation). “Pain-distress scores” were noted daily, acupuncture was repeated within every wound-dressing change on alternate days. After observation periods, blood samples for interleukin-6 and beta-endorphin and skin biopsies for inflammatory-changes and immunohistochemical-staining of interleukin-6 were collected for analysis( P< .05 ). Results In 1-hour groups, interleukin-6 accumulation in burn wounds of BrnA1 was less than Brn1, with Brn1 having the highest mean blood level(P< .05). Mean beta-endorphin levels were higher in ShA1, Brn1, and BrnA1 than in Sh1(P< .05). In all 7-day groups, the agonizing period was 48 to72 hours after burn, with Brn7 most affected(P< .05). Microvessels were multiplied in Brn7group, with significantly higher numbers in burn wounds of BrnA7(P˂ .05). Burn wounds of BrnA7 had less accumulation of interleukin-6 than Brn7 with Brn7-group having the highest mean blood level and Sh7, ShA7, and BrnA7 having similarly low levels(P˃ .05). Beta-endorphin levels in ShA7, Brn7, and BrnA7 were lower than in Sh7(P< .05). Conclusions Acupuncture contributed to management of physiological and pathological pain, modulation of inflammatory responses, and associated enhancement of angiogenesis in acute phase of burn injury in rats.

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