Last data updates: 06 January 2011
Wu, L.Z., Cui, C.L., Tian, J.B., Ji, D. and Han, J.S. (1999), Suppression of morphine withdrawal
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851 (1-2), 290-296.
Document type: Article Language: English Cited references: 27 Time cited: 28
Times self cited:
11
Abstract: Our previous work has demonstrated that 100-Hz electroacupuncture (EA) or 100-Hz
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was very effective in ameliorating the morphine
withdrawal syndrome in rats and humans. The mechanism was obscure. (1) Rats were made
dependent on morphine by repeated morphine injections (5-140 mg/kg, s.c., twice a day) for eight
days. They were then given 100-Hz EA for 30 min 24 h after the last injection of morphine. A
marked increase in tail flick latency (TEL) was observed. This effect of 100-Hz EA could be
blocked by naloxone (NX) at 20 mg/kg, but not at 1 mg/kg, suggesting that 100-Hz EA-induced
analgesia observed in morphine-dependent rats is mediated by K-opioid receptors. (2) A significant
decrease of the concentration of dynorphin A (1-17) immunoreactivity (-ir) was observed in the
spinal perfusate in morphine-dependent rats, that could be brought back to normal level by 100-Hz
EA. (3) 100-Hz EA was very effective in suppressing NX-precipitated morphine withdrawal
syndrome. This effect of EA could be prevented by intrathecal administration of nor-BNI (2.5 mu
g/20 mu l), a kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, or dynorphin A (1-13) antibodies (25 mu g/20 mu l)
administered 10 min prior to EA. Ln conclusion, while the steady-state spinal dynorphin release is
low in morphine-dependent rats, it can be activated by 100-Hz EA stimulation, which may be
responsible for eliciting an analgesic effect and ameliorating morphine withdrawal syndrome, most
probably via interacting with K-opioid receptor at spinal level. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All
rights reserved.
Author Keywords: Morphine Withdrawal; Electroacupuncture; Analgesia; Dynorphin;
Kappa-Opioid Receptor
Keywords Plus: Spinal-Cord; Abstinence; Analgesia; Frequencies; Tolerance; Heroin
Reprint Address: Han, JS (reprint author), Beijing Med Univ, Neurosci Res Inst, Beijing 100083,
Peoples R China
Addresses:
1. Beijing Med Univ, Neurosci Res Inst, Beijing 100083, Peoples R China
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