Journal Article Epublish 17 citations
PubMed: 27687125 DOI: 10.1038/srep34493
Electroacupuncture in conscious free-moving mice reduces pain by ameliorating peripheral and central nociceptive mechanisms.
Sci Rep 6:34493
Authors: Ying Wang, Jianxun Lei, Mihir Gupta, Fei Peng, Sarah Lam, Ritu Jha, Ellis Raduenz, Al J Beitz, Kalpna Gupta
Affiliations
- Vascular Biology Center, Division of Hematology, Oncology &Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, 14-100 PWB, 516 Delaware ST SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California San Diego, 200 West Arbor Drive #8893, La Jolla, CA 92103-8893, USA.
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, 295 Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine Bldg, 1988 Fitch Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA.
Abstract
Integrative approaches such as electroacupuncture, devoid of drug effects are gaining prominence for treating pain. Understanding the mechanisms of electroacupuncture induced analgesia would benefit chronic pain conditions such as sickle cell disease (SCD), for which patients may require opioid analgesics throughout life. Mouse models are instructive in developing a mechanistic understanding of pain, but the anesthesia/restraint required to administer electroacupuncture may alter the underlying mechanisms. To overcome these limitations, we developed a method to perform electroacupuncture in conscious, freely moving, unrestrained mice. Using this technique we demonstrate a significant analgesic effect in transgenic mouse models of SCD and cancer as well as complete Freund's adjuvant-induced pain. We demonstrate a comprehensive antinociceptive effect on mechanical, cold and deep tissue hyperalagesia in both genders. Interestingly, individual mice showed a variable response to electroacupuncture, categorized into high-, moderate-, and non-responders. Mechanistically, electroacupuncture significantly ameliorated inflammatory and nociceptive mediators both peripherally and centrally in sickle mice correlative to the antinociceptive response. Application of sub-optimal doses of morphine in electroacupuncture-treated moderate-responders produced equivalent antinociception as obtained in high-responders. Electroacupuncture in conscious freely moving mice offers an effective approach to develop a mechanism-based understanding of analgesia devoid of the influence of anesthetics or restraints.
MeSH
Pain, Electroacupuncture, Analgesia, Analgesics, Natural Science Disciplines
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- Targeting novel mechanisms of pain in sickle cell disease. Blood, 2017
- Targeting novel mechanisms of pain in sickle cell disease. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program, 2018
- Current Tracking on Effectiveness and Mechanisms of Acupuncture Therapy: A Literature Review of High-Quality Studies. Chin J Integr Med, 2020
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- Pain in sickle cell disease: current and potential translational therapies. Transl Res, 2021
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