The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology

The Korean Society of Pharmacology (대한약리학회)
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Effects of Acupuncture Stimulation at Different Acupoints on Formalin-Induced Pain in Rats

  • Chang, Kyung Ha (Department of Physiology, Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Bai, Sun Joon (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Hyejung (Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Lee, Bae Hwan (Department of Physiology, Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2013.11.08
  • Accepted : 2014.02.28
  • Published : 2014.04.30
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Abstract

Acupuncture is the process of stimulating skin regions called meridians or acupoints and has been used to treat pain-related symptoms. However, the pain-relieving effects of acupuncture may be different depending on acupoints. In the present study, the effects of acupuncture on behavioral responses and c-Fos expression were evaluated using a formalin test in male Sprague-Dawley rats in order to clarify the analgesic effects of three different acupoints. Each rat received manual acupuncture at the ST36 (Zusanli), SP9 (Yinlingquan) or BL60 (Kunlun) acupoint before formalin injection. Flinching and licking behaviors were counted by two blinded investigators. Fos-like immunoreactivity was examined by immunohistochemistry in the rat spinal cord. Manual acupuncture treatment at BL60 acupoint showed significant inhibition in flinching behavior but not in licking. Manual acupuncture at ST36 or SP9 tended to inhibit flinching and licking behaviors but the effects were not statistically significant. The acupuncture at ST36, SP9, or BL60 reduced c-Fos expression as compared with the control group. These results suggest that acupuncture especially at the BL60 acupoint is more effective in relieving inflammatory pain than other acupoints.

Keywords

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