반복적인 전침 처치의 척수 교세포 활성 억제를 통한 신경병증성 통증 억제 효과

Objectives: Effects of repetitive electroacupuncture(EA) on the pain behavior and activation of spinal glial cells were examined in the rat model of neuropathic pain. Methods: Twenty one adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups(control group, SP6 group, ST36+GB34 group). Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. Mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity of hind paw were tested. Immunohistochemistry was performed in spinal cord L5/6 of all groups. EA was treated once in a day from the 5th day after surgery. Results: EA treatments applied to ST36 and GB34 reduced significantly both of mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity after 3 times of treatment throughout the experiments. In the SP6 group, the analgesic effect was also shown after 7 times of treatment. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated inhibition of microglia and astrocyte activation in the spinal cord L5/6 dorsal horn in the ST36+GB34 group. Conclusions: The present results suggest that repetitive EA exert strong analgesic effect on neuropathic pain. These analgesic effects in neuropathic pain are associated with suppressing the activation of microglia and astrocyte.