Electroacupuncture may alleviate neuropathic pain via suppressing P2X7R expression

Molecular Pain, 2021 · DOI: 10.1177/1744806921997654 · Published: February 4, 2021

Alternative Medicine Pharmacology Pain Management

Simple Explanation

Neuropathic pain is a chronic condition that is difficult to treat. This research explores electroacupuncture (EA) as a potential treatment by examining its effects on nerve inflammation and synapse remodeling in rats with nerve damage. The study focuses on P2X7 receptors (P2X7R), which are involved in inflammation and pain. The researchers hypothesized that EA might reduce pain by decreasing the activity of these receptors. The researchers found that EA treatment reduced signs of inflammation and improved nerve structure in the rats. These positive effects were reversed when a P2X7R agonist was introduced, suggesting that EA's benefits are linked to suppressing P2X7R expression.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (200–250 g)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
EA treatment increased pain threshold in SNL rats, indicating pain relief, while the P2X7R agonist BzATP suppressed this EA-induced increase.
2
EA reduced histological changes and neuronal damage in the spinal cord dorsal horn, suggesting neuroprotection, while BzATP exerted the opposite effect, increasing neuronal damage.
3
EA decreased the dendritic spine density after SNL, which is associated with reduced synaptic reconstruction, while BzATP abolished this effect, promoting increased spine density.

Research Summary

This study investigates the potential of electroacupuncture (EA) to alleviate neuropathic pain by suppressing P2X7R expression in a rat model of spinal nerve ligation (SNL). The research aims to understand the underlying mechanisms of EA's analgesic effects. The findings indicate that EA treatment reduces abnormal remodeling of dendritic spines/synapses, inhibits inflammation, and improves neurobehavioral performance, which is consistent with decreased P2X7R expression. Conversely, the P2X7R agonist BzATP enhances abnormal remodeling and inflammation, reversing the positive effects of EA. The study concludes that EA improves neuropathic pain by reducing abnormal dendritic spine/synaptic reconstruction and inflammation via suppressing P2X7R expression, suggesting P2X7R as a potential therapeutic target for neuropathic pain.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Target

P2X7R can be used as a potential clinical therapeutic target for neuropathic pain.

EA as Treatment

Electroacupuncture may be a viable treatment to alleviate neuropathic pain.

Mechanism of Action

EA inhibits dendritic spine/synaptic remodeling and regulates the expression of inflammatory factors through inhibiting the expression of P2X7R.

Study Limitations

1
The study did not perform double staining for P2X7R and Iba1 in rat spinal dorsal horn sections to confirm the cell types expressing P2X7R.
2
The study could not definitively demonstrate that the analgesic effect of EA is mediated by the inhibition of p38 phosphorylation in microglia.
3
The analgesic effect of EA by reducing P2X7R expression is one possibility and should be further proven by using P2X7R inhibitor or P2X7R siRNA.

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