| Authors |
Yi PL, Lu CY, Cheng CH, Tsai YF, Lin CT, Chang FC. |
| MeSH |
Acupuncture Points*
Amygdala/metabolism*
Animals
Electroacupuncture*
Epilepsies, Partial/metabolism
Epilepsies, Partial/therapy*
Humans
Male
Narcotic Antagonists/pharmacology
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Receptors, Opioid/genetics
Receptors, Opioid/metabolism* |
| Abstract |
BACKGROUND:
The effect of seizure suppression by acupuncture of Feng-Chi (GB20) acupoints has been documented in the ancient Chinese literature, Lingshu Jing (Classic of the Miraculous Pivot), however, there is a lack of scientific evidence to prove it. This current study was designed to elucidate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of bilateral Feng-Chi (GB20) acupoints on the epileptic activity by employing an animal model of focal epilepsy.
METHODS:
Administration of pilocarpine into the left central nucleus of amygdala (CeA) induced the focal epilepsy in rats. Rats received a 30-min 100 Hz EA stimulation of bilateral Feng-Chi acupoints per day, beginning at 30 minutes before the dark period and performing in three consecutive days. The broad-spectrum opioid receptor antagonist (naloxone), mu-receptor antagonist (naloxonazine), delta-receptor antagonist (naltrindole) and kappa-receptor antagonist (nor-binaltorphimine) were administered directly into the CeA to elucidate the involvement of CeA opioid receptors in the EA effect.
RESULTS:
High-frequency (100 Hz) EA stimulation of bilateral Feng-Chi acupoints did not suppress the pilocarpine-induced epileptiform electroencephalograms (EEGs), whereas it further increased the duration of epileptiform EEGs. We also observed that epilepsy occurred while 100 Hz EA stimulation of Feng-Chi acupoints was delivered into naive rats. EA-induced augmentation of epileptic activity was blocked by microinjection of naloxone, mu- (naloxonazine), kappa- (nor-binaltorphimine) or delta-receptor antagonists (natrindole) into the CeA, suggesting that activation of opioid receptors in the CeA mediates EA-exacerbated epilepsy.
CONCLUSIONS:
The present study suggests that high-frequency (100 Hz) EA stimulation of bilateral Feng-Chi acupoints has no effect to protect against pilocarpine-induced focal epilepsy; in contrast, EA further exacerbated focal epilepsy induced by pilocarpine. Opioid receptors in the CeA mediated EA-induced exacerbation of focal epilepsy. |
