期刊
MOLECULAR PAIN
卷 7, 期 -, 页码 -出版社
SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
DOI: 10.1186/1744-8069-7-98
关键词
acupuncture; inflammatory pain; beta-endorphin; cannabinoid CB2 receptors; mu-opioid receptors
资金
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [30600832, 81173328]
- Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars of State Education Ministry [2008890]
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (HUST) [2010JC065]
Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) can produce analgesia by increasing the beta-endorphin level and activation of peripheral mu-opioid receptors in inflamed tissues. Endogenous cannabinoids and peripheral cannabinoid CB2 receptors (CB2Rs) are also involved in the antinociceptive effect of EA on inflammatory pain. However, little is known about how peripheral CB2Rs interact with the endogenous opioid system at the inflammatory site and how this interaction contributes to the antinociceptive effect of EA on inflammatory pain. In this study, we determined the role of peripheral CB2Rs in the effects of EA on the expression of beta-endorphin in inflamed skin tissues and inflammatory pain. Results: Inflammatory pain was induced by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the left hindpaw of rats. Thermal hyperalgesia was tested with a radiant heat stimulus, and mechanical allodynia was quantified using von Frey filaments. The mRNA level of POMC and protein level of beta-endorphin were quantified by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The beta-endorphin-containing keratinocytes and immune cells in the inflamed skin tissues were detected by double-immunofluorescence labeling. The CB2R agonist AM1241 or EA significantly reduced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, whereas the selective mu-opioid receptor antagonist beta-funaltrexamine significantly attenuated the antinociceptive effect produced by them. AM1241 or EA significantly increased the mRNA level of POMC and the protein level of beta-endorphin in inflamed skin tissues, and these effects were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with the CB2R antagonist AM630. AM1241 or EA also significantly increased the percentage of beta-endorphin-immunoreactive keratinocytes, macrophages, and T-lymphocytes in inflamed skin tissues, and these effects were blocked by AM630. Conclusions: EA and CB2R stimulation reduce inflammatory pain through activation of mu-opioid receptors. EA increases endogenous opioid expression in keratinocytes and infiltrating immune cells at the inflammatory site through CB2R activation.
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