Effect of electro-acupuncture with various parameters on the nociceptive response of spinal cord dorsal horn neurons in the rat / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe and compare the analgesic effects of electro-acupuncture(EA)of “Tsusanli point” (St. 36) with various stimulation parameters. Methods Single wide dynamic range (WDR) and nociceptive specific (NS) neurons were recorded extracellularly in the dorsal horn of the rat lumbar spinal cord. The late train discharges (C-response) of the neurons evoked by intense electrical stimulation of the skin were used as a nocicepive response. The inhibitory effects of EA stimulation of the “Tsusanli point” (St. 36) with various intensities (1 and 6 mA) and frequencies (5, 20, 50 and 100 Hz) on the C-response were observed, respectively. Results A lower frequency (5 Hz) was appropriate to the high-intensity EA, while a higher frequency (50 Hz) was proper for the low-intensity EA. Conclusion The effect of EA on the spinal nociceptive transmission is both intensity- and frequency-dependent.