Effect of Early Acupuncture at Huatuo Jiajipoints on Striatalβ-endorphin and Dynorphin Levels in MCAO Rats / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of early acupuncture at Huatuo jiaji points on striatalβ-endorphin and dynorphin levels in rats with post-stroke limb spasm.Methods Seventy SD rats were randomized into group A (normal) of 9 rats and group B (sham operation) of 10 rats. After a model of post-stroke limb spasm was made in the remaining rats, they were randomized into groups C (model), D (acupuncture at Huatuo jiaji points) and E (baclofen). Group D received acupuncture at Huatuo jiaji points and group E, an oral gavage of baclofen tablets. After seven days of treatment, striatalβ-endorphin and dynorphin levels were neasured by radioimmunoassay.Resultsβ-endorphin levels increased significantly in groups C, D and E compared with groups A and B (P0.05). Dynorphin levels increased significantly in groups C, D and E compared with groups A and B (P0.05).Conclusions Acupuncture at Huatuo jiaji points can increase striatalβ-endorphin levels but not change striatal dynorphin levels, which conforms to the relationship between enkephalin and spasm, and improve the animal’s spasticity.