ArticleChinese medicine2024
Electroacupuncture alleviates neuropathic pain in a rat model of CCD via suppressing P2X3 expression in dorsal root ganglia.
Article in Chinese medicine, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed.
- Electroacupuncture and P2X receptors: purinergic mechanisms in pain modulation : A narrative review with structured evidence mapping.Purinergic signalling · 2026Review
- Untangling neuropathic pain: pathophysiological insights and future directions for targeted therapy.Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology · 2026Review
- Mechanism of Netrin-1 in electroacupuncture-mediated inhibition of nerve fiber ingrowth in degenerative intervertebral discs.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2026Article
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy Attenuates Inflammation in CCI-Induced Sciatica by Inhibiting the NF-κB Pathway.Journal of pharmacopuncture · 2026Article
- Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation for Opioid Tolerance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Proteomics Analysis: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol.Journal of pain research · 2026Article
- Perineural Electrical Dry Needling and Neural Mobilization for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Case Report.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
- Inflammatory pain and electroacupuncture: how the P2X3 receptor can help modulate inflammation-a review of current literature.Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.] · 2025Review
- Efficacy and Safety of Electroacupuncture for Postherpetic Neuralgia and Biomarker Evaluation: A Study Protocol for a Multicenter, Randomized Trial.Journal of pain research · 2025Article
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11 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundSciatica and low back pain are prevalent clinical types of neuropathic pain that significantly impair patients' quality of life. Conventional therapies often lack effectiveness, making these conditions challenging to treat. Electroacupuncture (EA) is an effective physiotherapy for pain relief. Prior research has demonstrated a relationship between the frequency of neuropathic pain and the analgesic impact of EA stimulation. This work aimed to assess the analgesic effects of EA in a rat model of chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion (CCD) and to understand the underlying processes.
methodsWe established a rat CCD model to simulate sciatica and low back pain. EA was applied to rats with CCD at various frequencies (2 Hz, 100 Hz, and 2/100 Hz). The paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) was measured to assess analgesic effects. Additionally, protein levels of the purinergic receptor P2X3 (P2X3) and the expression of nociceptive neuronal markers were analyzed using immunohistochemistry and western blot (WB) techniques. The study also measured levels of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). The involvement of P2X3 receptors was further investigated using the P2X3 agonist, α,β-methylene ATP (α,β-meATP).
resultsCCD rats developed pronounced mechanical allodynia. EA stimulation at all tested frequencies produced analgesic effects, with 2/100 Hz showing superior efficacy compared to 2 Hz and 100 Hz. The expression of P2X3 was increased in ipsilateral DRG of CCD model rats. P2X3 were co-labeled with isolectin B4 (IB4) and transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV1), indicating their role in nociception. 2/100 Hz EA treatment significantly reduced mechanical allodynia and inhibited the overexpression of P2X3, TRPV1, substance P (SP), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the ipsilateral DRG of CCD model rats. Additionally, EA reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in the ipsilateral DRG, indicating an anti-inflammatory effect. The P2X3 agonist α,β-me ATP attenuated the analgesic effect of 2/100 Hz EA in CCD rats. The WB and immunofluorescence results consistently demonstrated P2X3 inhibition contributed to the analgesic effects of 2/100 Hz EA on CCD-induced neuropathic pain.
conclusionsOur findings suggest that 2/100 Hz EA alleviates neuropathic pain in rats by inhibiting the upregulation of P2X3 receptors in the ipsilateral DRG. This study backs up EA as a viable treatment option for sciatica and low back pain in clinical settings.
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