Electroacupuncture attenuates inflammation in a rat model

J Altern Complement Med. 2005 Feb;11(1):135-42. doi: 10.1089/acm.2005.11.135.

Abstract

Background: Acupuncture has traditionally been used in China and is being increasingly applied in Western countries to treat a variety of conditions, including inflammatory disease. However, clinical trials investigating the effectiveness of the anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture have yielded inconsistent results, and the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture-produced anti-inflammation are unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) on inflammation in a rat model.

Materials and methods: Four experiments were conducted on male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8-9 per group). Inflammation was induced by injecting complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) subcutaneously into the plantar surface of one hind paw of the rat. Experiment 1: To determine the effect of EA (10 and 100 Hz) versus sham treatment on inflammation. Experiment 2: To investigate the involvement of the adrenal glands on the effect of EA treatment using adrenalectomized (ADX) rats. Experiment 3: To determine the effects of EA on plasma levels of corticosterone. Experiment 4: To determine the effects of EA treatment versus immobilization on such stress indicators as heart rate and blood pressure.

Results: At 10 Hz EA significantly reduced CFA-induced hind paw edema. The effect was partially blocked in the ADX rats. EA significantly increased plasma levels of corticosterone but produced no noticeable signs of stress.

Conclusion: At 10 Hz but not 100 Hz, EA suppresses inflammation by activating the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and the nervous system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Electroacupuncture / methods*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Freund's Adjuvant
  • Male
  • Neurogenic Inflammation / chemically induced
  • Neurogenic Inflammation / therapy*
  • Pain / chemically induced
  • Pain Management*
  • Pituitary-Adrenal System / physiopathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Freund's Adjuvant