Effects of sinomenine and acupuncture on amygdala in heroin-withdrawal rats / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Aim To explore the effects of acupuncture and sinomenine on the withdrawal symptoms,on the spontaneous discharge and synaptophysin expression of amygdala of heroin-addicted rats.Methods 75 SD rats were randomly and equally divided into 5 groups consisted of control,heroin-addicted,acupuncture,sinomenine and combined treatment group.The model of heroin-addicted rats were established with heroin subcutaneous injection,which in acupuncture,sinomenine and combined group were subsequently punctured at 3 acupoint(Neiguan,Baihui and Zusanli),intramuscular injected with sinomenine and treated with combined methods(acupuncture and sinomenine)respectively.The withdrawal symptoms of rats in different group were evaluated,and then the spontaneous discharges and synaptophysin expression of amygdala were detected with electrophysiological and immunohistochemical technology respectively.Results The heroin-addicted rats were successfully established,being suggested by typical withdrawal symptoms induced by naloxone(P<0.01 vs control),which were alleviated in the 3 treatment groups(acupuncture,sinomenine and combined ) with varying degree(P<0.01 vs heroin group).The electrophysiological results suggest that the forms of low-frequency and single irregular discharges in amygdala were increase,bunchy/cluster and complex discharges were decreased(P<0.05 vs control),which were reversed apparently in sinomenine and combined treatment groups(P<0.05 vs heroin group),closed to control.The immunohistochemical results show that expression of synaptophysin in amygdala was increased obviously(P<0.01 vs control),which was decreased in the 3 treatment groups(acupuncture,sinomenine and combined),P<0.01 vs addicted group.Conclusion Treatments of acupuncture and sinomenine administration can alleviate withdrawal symptoms of heroin-addicted,and rectify the abnormal spontaneous discharges and expression of synaptophysin in amygdala of heroin-addicted rats for certain degree,especially with combined treatments.