Effect of electro-acupuncture on the BDNF-TrkB pathway in the spinal cord of CCI rats

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE, 2018 · DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3563 · Published: January 23, 2018

Alternative Medicine Pain Management Genetics

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how electro-acupuncture (EA) can alleviate neuropathic pain in rats with chronic constrictive injury (CCI) by targeting the activation of microglia and the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway in the spinal cord. The researchers measured pain thresholds, levels of activated microglia, and the expression of BDNF and TrkB in the spinal cord of CCI rats treated with EA. The findings suggest that EA's analgesic effect is achieved by inhibiting the activation of spinal microglia, which subsequently blocks the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway, reducing pain.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Male Sprague Dawley rats (200-250 g)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
EA treatment significantly increased mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) values, indicating reduced hyperalgesia and allodynia in CCI rats.
2
EA inhibited the proportion of activated microglia and BDNF expression in the spinal cord of CCI rats, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence.
3
EA decreased the expression of BDNF and TrkB at both the mRNA and protein levels in the spinal cord of CCI rats, suggesting a direct link between EA and the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway.

Research Summary

The study demonstrates that electro-acupuncture (EA) can alleviate neuropathic pain in a rat model of chronic constrictive injury (CCI). EA treatment reduces mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia by inhibiting the activation of spinal microglia and downregulating the expression of BDNF and TrkB. These findings suggest that the analgesic effect of EA is mediated by disrupting the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway in the spinal cord.

Practical Implications

Pain Management

EA may be a viable therapeutic intervention for chronic pain treatment.

Targeted Therapy

The BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway can be a target for neuropathic pain therapies.

Microglia Activation

Inhibition of microglia activation may provide pain relief.

Study Limitations

1
Further verification of the overall effects and the underlying molecular mechanism of EA in animals with peripheral nerve injuries is necessary.
2
The study focuses on a specific animal model (CCI rats), and results may not be directly generalizable to other neuropathic pain conditions or human subjects.
3
The study does not explore the long-term effects of EA treatment on neuropathic pain.

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