Korean Journal of Acupuncture

Society for Meridian and Acupoint (경락경혈학회)
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The Effects of Acupuncture on Alleviating Pain and Depression and Modulating Brain Neural Activity

침 치료의 통증 및 우울증 개선 효과와 뇌신경 반응성 조절 기전 연구

  • Keun Hyang Eom (Department of Meridian & Acupoint, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University) ;
  • Seul-Ki Won (Department of Meridian & Acupoint, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University) ;
  • Ji-Hye Song (Department of Meridian & Acupoint, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University) ;
  • Ji-Yeun Park (Department of Meridian & Acupoint, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University)
  • 엄근향 (대전대학교 한의과대학 경락경혈학교실) ;
  • 원슬기 (대전대학교 한의과대학 경락경혈학교실) ;
  • 송지혜 (대전대학교 한의과대학 경락경혈학교실) ;
  • 박지연 (대전대학교 한의과대학 경락경혈학교실)
  • Received : 2024.08.02
  • Accepted : 2024.09.11
  • Published : 2024.09.27
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Abstract

Objectives : We aimed to identify the effects of acupuncture treatment on alleviating pain and depression and modulating brain neural activity in the neuropathic pain and depression comorbidity mouse model (PDCM). Methods : We performed partial sciatic nerve ligation on the right hind paw of mice to induce neuropathic pain and injected reserpine (2 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) for 10 days from the day of the surgery to induce pain and depression. Acupuncture treatment was performed for 10 days at the following locations: 1) ST36 and SP6 (Joksamni and Sameumgyo; JS), 2) KI1 and HT7 (Yongcheon and Sinmun; YS), 3) LR1, PC9, KI10, and PC3 (Pericardium tonification; PT), or 4) LR1, HT9, KI10, and HT3 (Heart tonification; HT). Pain-like behavior was measured using the von Frey test and depressive-like behavior was assessed using the open field test. Then, the c-Fos expression was analyzed in the brain regions of neocortex, striatum, hypothalamus, hippocampus, midbrain, and medulla to examine brain neural activity. Results : In PDCM, pain-like behavior was alleviated by acupuncture treatment on the JS, YS, PT, and HT, and depressive-like behavior was improved by acupuncture treatment on the JS and YS. JS and YS were derived as an optimized acupoint combination for improving neuropathic pain and depression comorbidity. Brain neural activities in the neocortex (infralimbic cortex) and hypothalamus (paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus; PVN) were commonly altered by both JS and YS acupuncture treatments. In addition, neural activities in the neocortex (prelimbic cortex; PrL) and midbrain (substantia nigra, lateral part of the dorsal raphe nucleus) were altered exclusively by JS acupuncture treatment, while changes in the area 2 of the anterior cingulate cortex and the cornu ammonis 3 of the hippocampus were specific to YS acupuncture treatment. Brain neural activity in the PrL and PVN regions was significantly correlated with changes in pain behavior. Conclusions : Both JS and YS acupuncture treatments alleviated pain and depressive-like behaviors, which were associated with modulation of neural activities in the neocortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and midbrain.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구의 동물실험 진행 및 결과 분석에 도움을 준 이다솜 선생님과 구지연, 정채희, 오윤상 학생에게 감사의 인사를 전합니다.

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