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Acupuncture Resolves Persistent Pain and Neuroinflammation in a Mouse Model of Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Kim, S; Zhang, X; O'Buckley, SC; Cooter, M; Park, JJ; Nackley, AG
Published in: J Pain
December 2018

Patients with chronic overlapping pain conditions have decreased levels of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that metabolizes catecholamines. Consistent with clinical syndromes, we previously demonstrated that COMT inhibition in rodents produces persistent pain and heightened immune responses. Here, we sought to determine the efficacy of manual acupuncture in resolving persistent pain and neuroinflammation in the classic inbred C57BL/6 strain and the rapid-wound healing MRL/MpJ strain. Mice received subcutaneous osmotic minipumps to deliver the COMT inhibitor OR486 or vehicle for 13 days. On day 7 after pump implantation, acupuncture was performed at the Zusanli (ST36) point or a non-acupoint for 6 consecutive days. Behavioral responses to mechanical stimuli were measured throughout the experiment. Immunohistochemical analysis of spinal phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, a marker of inflammation, and glial fibrillary acidic protein, a marker of astrogliosis, was performed on day 13. Results demonstrated that ST36, but not sham, acupuncture resolved mechanical hypersensitivity and reduced OR486-dependent increases in phosphorylated p38 and glial fibrillary acidic protein in both strains. The magnitude of the analgesic response was greater in MRL/MpJ mice. These findings indicate acupuncture as an effective treatment for persistent pain linked to abnormalities in catecholamine signaling and, furthermore, that analgesic efficacy may be influenced by genetic differences. PERSPECTIVE: Chronic overlapping pain conditions remain ineffectively managed by conventional pharmacotherapies. Here, we demonstrate that acupuncture alleviates persistent pain and neuroinflammation linked to heightened catecholaminergic tone. Mice with superior healing capacity exhibit greater analgesic efficacy. Findings indicate acupuncture as an effective treatment for chronic overlapping pain conditions and provide insight into treatment response variability.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

J Pain

DOI

EISSN

1528-8447

Publication Date

December 2018

Volume

19

Issue

12

Start / End Page

1384.e1 / 1384.e14

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Neuralgia
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice
  • Male
  • Female
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Chronic Pain
  • Animals
  • Anesthesiology
  • Acupuncture Therapy
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Kim, S., Zhang, X., O’Buckley, S. C., Cooter, M., Park, J. J., & Nackley, A. G. (2018). Acupuncture Resolves Persistent Pain and Neuroinflammation in a Mouse Model of Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions. J Pain, 19(12), 1384.e1-1384.e14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2018.05.013
Kim, Seungtae, Xin Zhang, Sandra C. O’Buckley, Mary Cooter, Jongbae J. Park, and Andrea G. Nackley. “Acupuncture Resolves Persistent Pain and Neuroinflammation in a Mouse Model of Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions.J Pain 19, no. 12 (December 2018): 1384.e1-1384.e14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2018.05.013.
Kim S, Zhang X, O’Buckley SC, Cooter M, Park JJ, Nackley AG. Acupuncture Resolves Persistent Pain and Neuroinflammation in a Mouse Model of Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions. J Pain. 2018 Dec;19(12):1384.e1-1384.e14.
Kim, Seungtae, et al. “Acupuncture Resolves Persistent Pain and Neuroinflammation in a Mouse Model of Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions.J Pain, vol. 19, no. 12, Dec. 2018, pp. 1384.e1-1384.e14. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2018.05.013.
Kim S, Zhang X, O’Buckley SC, Cooter M, Park JJ, Nackley AG. Acupuncture Resolves Persistent Pain and Neuroinflammation in a Mouse Model of Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions. J Pain. 2018 Dec;19(12):1384.e1-1384.e14.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Pain

DOI

EISSN

1528-8447

Publication Date

December 2018

Volume

19

Issue

12

Start / End Page

1384.e1 / 1384.e14

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Neuralgia
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice
  • Male
  • Female
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Chronic Pain
  • Animals
  • Anesthesiology
  • Acupuncture Therapy