Electroacupuncture Pretreatment at GB20 Exerts Antinociceptive Effects via Peripheral and Central Serotonin Mechanism in Conscious Migraine Rats

Abstract

Background. While electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment in migraine has been found to attenuate pain and frequencies of attacks, the underlying mechanism of its antinociceptive effect remains poorly understood. Emerging evidence suggests that the serotonin system may be involved in migraine pathophysiology. Method. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to Control, Model, EA, and sham acupuncture (SA) groups. HomeCageScan was used to measure the effects on spontaneous nociceptive behaviors. Radioimmunoassay and high-performance liquid chromatography were used to evaluate the expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine (HT) in the plasma and three-key structure of the descending pain modulatory system. Results. Our study showed that EA pretreatment could produce a significant reduction in resting, freezing, and grooming behavior and a significant increase in exploration behavior. Furthermore, we found that the level of 5-HT in plasma was significantly increased, and it was significantly decreased in the descending pain modulatory system in Model group. The aforementioned results were significantly reversed in EA group; that is, the level of 5-HT was increased in the rostroventromedial medulla (RVM) and trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) region and decreased in the plasma. Conclusion. EA pretreatment exerts antinociceptive effects in a rat model of recurrent migraine, possibly via modulation of the serotonin system.

Effects of electroacupuncture on anxiety and depression in unmarried patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome: secondary analysis of a pilot randomised controlled trial

“…In previous studies, a reduction of 5-HT in plasma was found in a rat model of migraine and an increase in serum NE was observed in climacteric depression after EA treatment. 17,18 Therefore, it could be inferred that EA therapy may improve symptoms of anxiety and depression by regulating the secretion of neurotransmitters such as NE and 5-HT. These findings should be interpreted with caution, however, given these parameters were all secondary outcomes that were added post-hoc to the original trial.…”

“…16 Acupuncture treatment has also been shown to increase serum levels of NE in climacteric depression. 17 Plasma levels of 5-HT decreased after EA in a rat model of migraine, 18 and plasma AD was found to be increased in anaesthetised patients given EA before surgery. 19 Moreover, an increase in serum GABA was found after EA for spastic paralysis after stroke.…”

Acupuncture-Analgesia-Mediated Alleviation of Central Sensitization

“…This process can be reversed by 5-HT1 and 5-HT3 antagonists. Headache relief was considered to be primarily engendered by an increase in serotonin release in the medulla and TNC regions [ 57 , 58 ]. Serotonin could inhibit inflammatory and neuropathic pain more effectively at 2–10 Hz than at 100 Hz [ 59 ].…”

Auricular Electrical Stimulation Alleviates Headache through CGRP/COX-2/TRPV1/TRPA1 Signaling Pathways in a Nitroglycerin-Induced Migraine Rat Model

“…Jumping interrupts other states like walking); (3) resting behavior (the rat rests with hardly any movement; either sits or lies down, which includes sleeping. Apparently, no interest in the environment); and (4) grooming behavior (the rat grooms snout, head, fur, or genitals including scratching and licking of paws during a grooming session) [26–29]. The total time spent engaging in the behavior was calculated in the present study.…”