Analgesia with 5’ extracellular nucleotidase-mediated electroacupuncture for neuropathic pain

Arq Neuropsiquiatr, 2022 · DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X-ANP-2021-0149 · Published: March 1, 2022

Alternative Medicine Neurology Pain Management

Simple Explanation

This study explores how electroacupuncture (EA) at the Zusanli acupoint can alleviate neuropathic pain in rats. It focuses on the role of ecto-5’-nucleotidase (5’-NT), an enzyme, in this process. The research found that EA increases the expression of 5’-NT, which in turn elevates adenosine levels in the spinal cord. Adenosine then acts on adenosine receptors to reduce pain. By using a specific inhibitor to block 5’-NT, the study showed that the pain-relieving effects of EA were diminished. This suggests that 5’-NT plays a crucial role in EA-induced analgesia for neuropathic pain.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

42 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Electroacupuncture (EA) increases the expression of ecto-5’-nucleotidase (5’-NT) in the spinal cord of rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI).
2
Inhibiting 5’-NT with α,β-methyleneadenosine 5’-diphosphate (AOPCP) reverses the increase in adenosine content and the analgesic effect of EA.
3
Administration of the adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA) restores the analgesic effect of EA in CCI rats when 5'-NT is inhibited.

Research Summary

The study investigates the mechanism by which electroacupuncture (EA) provides analgesia for neuropathic pain, focusing on the role of ecto-5’-nucleotidase (5’-NT). Results indicate that EA upregulates 5’-NT expression in the spinal cord, leading to increased adenosine production, which activates adenosine A1 receptors and reduces pain. The findings suggest that 5’-NT mediates the analgesic effect of EA in chronic constriction injury (CCI) rat models, offering a potential target for pain management strategies.

Practical Implications

Pain Management

Electroacupuncture at Zusanli acupoint could be a potential therapeutic intervention for neuropathic pain.

Drug Development

Ecto-5’-nucleotidase (5’-NT) could be a target for developing new drugs for pain relief.

Acupuncture mechanism

The study helps elucidate the mechanisms underlying acupuncture analgesia, particularly the role of adenosine and 5'-NT.

Study Limitations

1
The study only used AOPCP to inhibit the activity of 5’-NT.
2
The study did not demonstrate the relationship between 5’-NT and EA analgesia at the gene level.
3
The study was conducted on rats and may not fully translate to human subjects.

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