AIM:To observe the analgesic effects of moxibustion in rats with chronic visceral hyperalgesia and its influence on the concentration of dynorphin(Dyn) and endomorphin(EM) in spinal cord.METHODS:The rat model of chron...AIM:To observe the analgesic effects of moxibustion in rats with chronic visceral hyperalgesia and its influence on the concentration of dynorphin(Dyn) and endomorphin(EM) in spinal cord.METHODS:The rat model of chronic visceral hyperalgesia was established by colorectal distention(CRD).In moxibustion(MX) group,moxibustion was applied once daily for 7 d;in sham moxibustion(SM) group,moxibustion was given to the same acupoints but with the nonsmoldered end of the moxa stick.Model control(MC) group and normal control group were also studied.The scoring system of abdominal withdrawal reflex was used to evaluate visceral pain for behavioral assessment.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine the concentrations of Dyn and EM in spinal cord.RESULTS:Moxibustion significantly decreased visceral pain to CRD in this rat model,and no significant difference was detected between the SM group and the MC group.In MX group,moxibustion also increased the concentrations of Dyn and EM in spinal cord,and no significant difference was found between the SM group and the MC group.CONCLUSION:Moxibustion therapy can significantly enhance the pain threshold of rats with chronic visceral hyperalgesia,and the effect may be closely related to the increased concentration of Dyn and EM in spinal cord.展开更多
Little is known about the roles of dynorphin and Kappa opioid receptor(KOR) in mollusks. In this study, we aim to determine the distribution of dynorphin A and KOR-1 in the digestive system of the scallop Chlamys farr...Little is known about the roles of dynorphin and Kappa opioid receptor(KOR) in mollusks. In this study, we aim to determine the distribution of dynorphin A and KOR-1 in the digestive system of the scallop Chlamys farreri. Using immunohistochemical staining, we confirmed the expression of dynorphin A and KOR-1 in the digestive system of C. farreri. Dynorphin A immunopositive cells were identified in intestine and hepatopancreas. In intestine, small and spherical dynorphin A immunopositive cells(4–9 μm in diameter) were scattered among the long columnar epithelial cells(ECs). In hepatopancreas, cells containing masses(5–14 μm in diameter) of dynorphin A immunopositive products were observed in epithelium of acinis. These immunopositive cells may be synthetic and/or secretory cells of dynorphin A. Dynorphin A immunoreactive products were commonly observed in epithelium and connective tissue(CT) of labial palps, mouth labia and stomach, which presented in forms of grains, fibers or flakes. KOR-1 immunoreactive material was observed in ECs and CTs of labial palps, mouth labia and stomach, intestine and hepatopancreas. The distribution of both dynorphin A and KOR-1 in the digestive organs suggests an involvement of dynorphin via KOR-1 in the functional regulation of the digestive system of C. farreri.展开更多
Aim Aconitine and its structurally-related diterpenoid alkaloids have been shown to interact differential- ly with neuronal voltage-dependent sodium channels and be responsible for their analgesia and toxicity. Bulley...Aim Aconitine and its structurally-related diterpenoid alkaloids have been shown to interact differential- ly with neuronal voltage-dependent sodium channels and be responsible for their analgesia and toxicity. Bulleya- conitine A ( BAA or BLA) is an aconitine analog and has been prescribed for the management of pain. The present study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of BAA on pain hypersensitivity and morphine anti-nociceptive toler- ance, and explore whether the release of dynorphin A from spinal microglia was associated with its mechanism of actions. Methods Rat models of neuropathic pain, formalin test and bone cancer pain were used, and spinal dynorphin A level and expression were measured. Sample size of animals was six in each study group. Resultes A single intrathecal or subcutaneous (but not intraventricular or local) injection of BAA blocked spinal nerve liga- tion-induced painful neuropathy, bone cancer-induced pain and formalin-induced hyperalgesia by 60% - 100% with the ED50 values of 94 - 126 ng/rat (intrathecal) and 42 - 59 μg · kg^-1 ( subcutaneous), respectively. Follow- ing chronic treatment, BAA did not induce either self-tolerance to anti-nociception or cross-tolerance to morphine anti-nociception, and completely prevented morphine tolerance. Spinal BAA anti-nociception, but not neurotoxici- ty, was completely blocked by the specific microglial inhibitor minocycline. In a minocycline-sensitive and lido- BAA stimulated the release of dynorphin A from the spinal cord, and the caine- or ropivacaine-insensitive manner, primary culture of microglia but not from neurons or astrocytes. The blockade effects of BAA on nociception and morphine tolerance were completely blocked by the specific dynorphin A antiserum and/or K-opioid receptor antago- nist. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that BAA eliminated pain hypersensitivity and morphine tolerance through the direct stimulation of dynorphin A release from spinal microglia, which was not dependent on the interac- tions with sodium channels.展开更多
Our group has earlier demonstrated that three enzymes sensitive to peptidase inhibitors (PIs), amastatin (A)-, captopril (C)-, and phosphoramidon (P), played an important role in inactivation of enkephalins at the spi...Our group has earlier demonstrated that three enzymes sensitive to peptidase inhibitors (PIs), amastatin (A)-, captopril (C)-, and phosphoramidon (P), played an important role in inactivation of enkephalins at the spinal level. Dynorphin-converting enzyme (DCE) hydrolyzes dynorphin (Dyn) A (1-17) or Dyn A (1-13) mainly at the Arg6-Arg7 bond. Dynorphin A and its derived peptides interact with opioid and glutamate receptors at their N- and C-terminals, respectively. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antinociceptive potency and toxicity of intrathecal administered Dyn A (1-17), Dyn A (1-13), or Dyn A (1-6) under pretreatment with ACP and/or the DCE inhibitor p-hydroxymercuribenzoate (PHMB). The effect of these PIs on Dyn A (1-17)-induced inhibition of electrically-evoked contractions in mouse vas deferens was also investigated. The inhibitory potency of Dyn A (1-17) on electrically-evoked contractions in mouse vas deferens under pretreatment with ACP was higher than that with AC, AP, or CP. Pretreatment with ACP augmented Dyn A (1-17) or (1-13)-induced antinociception by approximately 50- or 30-fold with no sign of allodynia when administered intrathecally at low doses. Pretreatment with ACP and PHMB induced neuropathy. These findings showed that intrathecal administration of low-dose Dyn A (1-17) or DynA (1-13) increased antinociception under pretreatment with ACP, but without signs of allodynia in rat.展开更多
Objective To investigate the involvement of immunoreactive dynorphin A in the inhibitory effect of N nitro L arginine on the morphine physical dependence in rats Methods The rats were rendered dependent on mo...Objective To investigate the involvement of immunoreactive dynorphin A in the inhibitory effect of N nitro L arginine on the morphine physical dependence in rats Methods The rats were rendered dependent on morphine by subcutaneous administration of morphine solution three times daily in a manner of dose increment of 5 mg·kg 1 for 6 days The degree of morphine physical dependence was monitored by scoring the abstinence syndromes precipitated by 5 mg·kg 1 naloxone of the rats The expression levels of immunoreactive dynorphin A in tissues were determined using a radioimmunoassay Results Intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg·kg 1 N nitro L arginine suppresses most of the withdrawal symptoms of morphine dependent rats N nitro L arginine can elevate the expression of immunoreactive dynorphin Conclusions Chronic N nitro L arginine administration can inhibit the development of morphine physical dependence in a manner of dose dependence, which is significantly related to its role of regulating the endogeneous dynorphin system展开更多
Intrathecal injection of dynorphin into rats via subarachnoid catheter induces damage to spinal cord tissue and motor function. Injection of the kappa opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphine, or the excitatory am...Intrathecal injection of dynorphin into rats via subarachnoid catheter induces damage to spinal cord tissue and motor function. Injection of the kappa opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphine, or the excitatory amino acid N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK-801 into rats alleviated the pathological changes of dynorphin-caused spinal cord tissue injury and reduced the acid phosphatase activity in the spinal cord. The experimental findings indicate that there are opioid and non-opioid pathways for dynorphin-induced spinal cord injury, and that the non-opioid receptor pathway may be mediated by the excitatory amino acid N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor.展开更多
An unnatural amino acid, β-[6′-(N, N-dimethyl)amino-2′-naphthoyl]alanine (Ald) showing polarity-sen sitive fluorescence characteristics, was synthesized. A thorough Ald-scan of dynorphin A (Dyn A), the putative end...An unnatural amino acid, β-[6′-(N, N-dimethyl)amino-2′-naphthoyl]alanine (Ald) showing polarity-sen sitive fluorescence characteristics, was synthesized. A thorough Ald-scan of dynorphin A (Dyn A), the putative endogenous ligand for κ opioid receptors, was then performed. Replacement of the amino acid residues in positions 5, 8, 10, 12 or 14 of Dyn A(1-13)-NH2 with Ald resulted in compounds that had almost equal κ binding affinity compared with that of the parent compound; on the other hand, substi-tution of residues in position 1 or 4 with Ald decreased κ-receptor binding affinity. These results indi-cate that Tyr and Phe in Dyn A are very important for maintaining its κ-opioid activity. Evidence from receptor binding assay clearly displays that [Ald5]Dyn A(1-13)-NH2 is a highly selective κ-opioid re-ceptor agonist. An evaluation of the interaction of Ald-containing Dyn A(1-13)-NH2 analogues with SDS and DPC micelles was also performed. Interestingly, [Ald1]Dyn A(1-13)-NH2 and [Ald4]Dyn A(1-13)-NH2 showed quite different fluorescence emission maxima in SDS and DPC micelles. This indicates that both peptides are sensitive to electronic properties of the polar surface of the micelles.展开更多
The latencies of motor- and somatosensory-evoked potentials were prolonged to different degrees, and wave amplitude was obviously decreased, after injection of dynorphin into the rat subarachnoid cavity. The wave ampl...The latencies of motor- and somatosensory-evoked potentials were prolonged to different degrees, and wave amplitude was obviously decreased, after injection of dynorphin into the rat subarachnoid cavity. The wave amplitude and latencies of motor- and somatosensory-evoked potentials were significantly recovered at 7 and 14 days after combined injection of dynorphin and either the kappa opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine or the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK-801. The wave amplitude and latency were similar in rats after combined injection of dynorphin and nor-binaltorphimine or MK-801. These results suggest that intrathecal injection of dynorphin causes damage to spinal cord function. Prevention of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor or kappa receptor activation lessened the injury to spinal cord function induced by dynorphin.展开更多
It has been proved that endogenous opioids play an important pathophysiological role inthe lesions secondary to central nervous system trauma.Opiate antagonists and opioid antisera havebeen found to improve the outcom...It has been proved that endogenous opioids play an important pathophysiological role inthe lesions secondary to central nervous system trauma.Opiate antagonists and opioid antisera havebeen found to improve the outcome of experimental brain injury,Thyrotropin-releasing hormone(TRH),which appears to act in part as a functional antagonist of opioid system,has also beenproved to be effective in the treatment of experimental brain injury.The developments of these as-pects in our laboratory are reviewed.展开更多
Spinal cord stimulation(SCS)-induced analgesia was characterized,and its underlying mechanisms were examined in a spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain in rats.The analgesic effect of SCS with moderate mechani...Spinal cord stimulation(SCS)-induced analgesia was characterized,and its underlying mechanisms were examined in a spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain in rats.The analgesic effect of SCS with moderate mechanical hypersensitivity was increased with increasing stimulation intensity between the 20%and 80%motor thresholds.Various frequencies(2,15,50,100,10000 Hz,and 2/100 Hz dense-dispersed)of SCS were similarly effective.SCS-induced analgesia was maintained without tolerance within 24 h of continuous stimulation.SCS at 2 Hz significantly increased methionine enkephalin content in the cerebrospinal fluid.The analgesic effect of 2 Hz was abolished byμorκopioid receptor antagonist.The effect of 100 Hz was prevented by aκantagonist,and that of 10 kHz was blocked by any of theμ,δ,orκreceptor antagonists,suggesting that the analgesic effect of SCS at different frequencies is mediated by different endorphins and opioid receptors.展开更多
Drug addiction is a chronic brain disorder characterized by withdrawal symptoms that occur during drug abstinence and a high tendency of relapse.Compared with the currently available pharmacological interventions,acup...Drug addiction is a chronic brain disorder characterized by withdrawal symptoms that occur during drug abstinence and a high tendency of relapse.Compared with the currently available pharmacological interventions,acupuncture therapy has the potential to help drug addicts stay away from drugs without major adverse side effects.It has taken decades of research to optimize the parameters of electrical acupoint stimulation for detoxification and for relapse prevention,as well as to establish a safe and easy procedure by which drug addicts can use it on themselves.The discovery that acupuncture can trigger the release of opioid substances from the brain in the 1970s provided the inspiration.Following this,basic research on animals made it possible to understand the mechanisms of action and establish the procedure for treating drug addictions.This article reviews the past,present,and foreseeable future regarding the use of acupuncture-related technique for the treatment of opiate addiction from the perspective of translational medicine.展开更多
基金Supported by The National Basic Research Program of China,973 Program,No 2009CB522900Scientific Research Grants of Shanghai Health Bureau,No 2009209Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project,No S30304
文摘AIM:To observe the analgesic effects of moxibustion in rats with chronic visceral hyperalgesia and its influence on the concentration of dynorphin(Dyn) and endomorphin(EM) in spinal cord.METHODS:The rat model of chronic visceral hyperalgesia was established by colorectal distention(CRD).In moxibustion(MX) group,moxibustion was applied once daily for 7 d;in sham moxibustion(SM) group,moxibustion was given to the same acupoints but with the nonsmoldered end of the moxa stick.Model control(MC) group and normal control group were also studied.The scoring system of abdominal withdrawal reflex was used to evaluate visceral pain for behavioral assessment.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine the concentrations of Dyn and EM in spinal cord.RESULTS:Moxibustion significantly decreased visceral pain to CRD in this rat model,and no significant difference was detected between the SM group and the MC group.In MX group,moxibustion also increased the concentrations of Dyn and EM in spinal cord,and no significant difference was found between the SM group and the MC group.CONCLUSION:Moxibustion therapy can significantly enhance the pain threshold of rats with chronic visceral hyperalgesia,and the effect may be closely related to the increased concentration of Dyn and EM in spinal cord.
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province,China(No.ZR2012CM004)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41506190)
文摘Little is known about the roles of dynorphin and Kappa opioid receptor(KOR) in mollusks. In this study, we aim to determine the distribution of dynorphin A and KOR-1 in the digestive system of the scallop Chlamys farreri. Using immunohistochemical staining, we confirmed the expression of dynorphin A and KOR-1 in the digestive system of C. farreri. Dynorphin A immunopositive cells were identified in intestine and hepatopancreas. In intestine, small and spherical dynorphin A immunopositive cells(4–9 μm in diameter) were scattered among the long columnar epithelial cells(ECs). In hepatopancreas, cells containing masses(5–14 μm in diameter) of dynorphin A immunopositive products were observed in epithelium of acinis. These immunopositive cells may be synthetic and/or secretory cells of dynorphin A. Dynorphin A immunoreactive products were commonly observed in epithelium and connective tissue(CT) of labial palps, mouth labia and stomach, which presented in forms of grains, fibers or flakes. KOR-1 immunoreactive material was observed in ECs and CTs of labial palps, mouth labia and stomach, intestine and hepatopancreas. The distribution of both dynorphin A and KOR-1 in the digestive organs suggests an involvement of dynorphin via KOR-1 in the functional regulation of the digestive system of C. farreri.
文摘Aim Aconitine and its structurally-related diterpenoid alkaloids have been shown to interact differential- ly with neuronal voltage-dependent sodium channels and be responsible for their analgesia and toxicity. Bulleya- conitine A ( BAA or BLA) is an aconitine analog and has been prescribed for the management of pain. The present study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of BAA on pain hypersensitivity and morphine anti-nociceptive toler- ance, and explore whether the release of dynorphin A from spinal microglia was associated with its mechanism of actions. Methods Rat models of neuropathic pain, formalin test and bone cancer pain were used, and spinal dynorphin A level and expression were measured. Sample size of animals was six in each study group. Resultes A single intrathecal or subcutaneous (but not intraventricular or local) injection of BAA blocked spinal nerve liga- tion-induced painful neuropathy, bone cancer-induced pain and formalin-induced hyperalgesia by 60% - 100% with the ED50 values of 94 - 126 ng/rat (intrathecal) and 42 - 59 μg · kg^-1 ( subcutaneous), respectively. Follow- ing chronic treatment, BAA did not induce either self-tolerance to anti-nociception or cross-tolerance to morphine anti-nociception, and completely prevented morphine tolerance. Spinal BAA anti-nociception, but not neurotoxici- ty, was completely blocked by the specific microglial inhibitor minocycline. In a minocycline-sensitive and lido- BAA stimulated the release of dynorphin A from the spinal cord, and the caine- or ropivacaine-insensitive manner, primary culture of microglia but not from neurons or astrocytes. The blockade effects of BAA on nociception and morphine tolerance were completely blocked by the specific dynorphin A antiserum and/or K-opioid receptor antago- nist. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that BAA eliminated pain hypersensitivity and morphine tolerance through the direct stimulation of dynorphin A release from spinal microglia, which was not dependent on the interac- tions with sodium channels.
文摘Our group has earlier demonstrated that three enzymes sensitive to peptidase inhibitors (PIs), amastatin (A)-, captopril (C)-, and phosphoramidon (P), played an important role in inactivation of enkephalins at the spinal level. Dynorphin-converting enzyme (DCE) hydrolyzes dynorphin (Dyn) A (1-17) or Dyn A (1-13) mainly at the Arg6-Arg7 bond. Dynorphin A and its derived peptides interact with opioid and glutamate receptors at their N- and C-terminals, respectively. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antinociceptive potency and toxicity of intrathecal administered Dyn A (1-17), Dyn A (1-13), or Dyn A (1-6) under pretreatment with ACP and/or the DCE inhibitor p-hydroxymercuribenzoate (PHMB). The effect of these PIs on Dyn A (1-17)-induced inhibition of electrically-evoked contractions in mouse vas deferens was also investigated. The inhibitory potency of Dyn A (1-17) on electrically-evoked contractions in mouse vas deferens under pretreatment with ACP was higher than that with AC, AP, or CP. Pretreatment with ACP augmented Dyn A (1-17) or (1-13)-induced antinociception by approximately 50- or 30-fold with no sign of allodynia when administered intrathecally at low doses. Pretreatment with ACP and PHMB induced neuropathy. These findings showed that intrathecal administration of low-dose Dyn A (1-17) or DynA (1-13) increased antinociception under pretreatment with ACP, but without signs of allodynia in rat.
基金FundforResearchandDevelopmentofNewDrugsofPLA (No 96 0 2 )NationalNaturalScienceFoundationofChina (No .3 9870 871andNo .3 0 0 0 0 15 9)
文摘Objective To investigate the involvement of immunoreactive dynorphin A in the inhibitory effect of N nitro L arginine on the morphine physical dependence in rats Methods The rats were rendered dependent on morphine by subcutaneous administration of morphine solution three times daily in a manner of dose increment of 5 mg·kg 1 for 6 days The degree of morphine physical dependence was monitored by scoring the abstinence syndromes precipitated by 5 mg·kg 1 naloxone of the rats The expression levels of immunoreactive dynorphin A in tissues were determined using a radioimmunoassay Results Intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg·kg 1 N nitro L arginine suppresses most of the withdrawal symptoms of morphine dependent rats N nitro L arginine can elevate the expression of immunoreactive dynorphin Conclusions Chronic N nitro L arginine administration can inhibit the development of morphine physical dependence in a manner of dose dependence, which is significantly related to its role of regulating the endogeneous dynorphin system
基金supported by the Science and Key Technology Research and Development Program of Liaoning Province, No. 2011225021, 2011225041
文摘Intrathecal injection of dynorphin into rats via subarachnoid catheter induces damage to spinal cord tissue and motor function. Injection of the kappa opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphine, or the excitatory amino acid N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK-801 into rats alleviated the pathological changes of dynorphin-caused spinal cord tissue injury and reduced the acid phosphatase activity in the spinal cord. The experimental findings indicate that there are opioid and non-opioid pathways for dynorphin-induced spinal cord injury, and that the non-opioid receptor pathway may be mediated by the excitatory amino acid N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30672560)the Ascended Project for Natural Scientific Research of Universities in Guangdong Province (Grant No. 05Z012)
文摘An unnatural amino acid, β-[6′-(N, N-dimethyl)amino-2′-naphthoyl]alanine (Ald) showing polarity-sen sitive fluorescence characteristics, was synthesized. A thorough Ald-scan of dynorphin A (Dyn A), the putative endogenous ligand for κ opioid receptors, was then performed. Replacement of the amino acid residues in positions 5, 8, 10, 12 or 14 of Dyn A(1-13)-NH2 with Ald resulted in compounds that had almost equal κ binding affinity compared with that of the parent compound; on the other hand, substi-tution of residues in position 1 or 4 with Ald decreased κ-receptor binding affinity. These results indi-cate that Tyr and Phe in Dyn A are very important for maintaining its κ-opioid activity. Evidence from receptor binding assay clearly displays that [Ald5]Dyn A(1-13)-NH2 is a highly selective κ-opioid re-ceptor agonist. An evaluation of the interaction of Ald-containing Dyn A(1-13)-NH2 analogues with SDS and DPC micelles was also performed. Interestingly, [Ald1]Dyn A(1-13)-NH2 and [Ald4]Dyn A(1-13)-NH2 showed quite different fluorescence emission maxima in SDS and DPC micelles. This indicates that both peptides are sensitive to electronic properties of the polar surface of the micelles.
基金Key Science and Technology Research and Development Program of Liaoning Province, China, No. 20112250021, 20112250041.
文摘The latencies of motor- and somatosensory-evoked potentials were prolonged to different degrees, and wave amplitude was obviously decreased, after injection of dynorphin into the rat subarachnoid cavity. The wave amplitude and latencies of motor- and somatosensory-evoked potentials were significantly recovered at 7 and 14 days after combined injection of dynorphin and either the kappa opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine or the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK-801. The wave amplitude and latency were similar in rats after combined injection of dynorphin and nor-binaltorphimine or MK-801. These results suggest that intrathecal injection of dynorphin causes damage to spinal cord function. Prevention of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor or kappa receptor activation lessened the injury to spinal cord function induced by dynorphin.
文摘It has been proved that endogenous opioids play an important pathophysiological role inthe lesions secondary to central nervous system trauma.Opiate antagonists and opioid antisera havebeen found to improve the outcome of experimental brain injury,Thyrotropin-releasing hormone(TRH),which appears to act in part as a functional antagonist of opioid system,has also beenproved to be effective in the treatment of experimental brain injury.The developments of these as-pects in our laboratory are reviewed.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology,China(2016YFC0105501,2019YFD1712000).
文摘Spinal cord stimulation(SCS)-induced analgesia was characterized,and its underlying mechanisms were examined in a spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain in rats.The analgesic effect of SCS with moderate mechanical hypersensitivity was increased with increasing stimulation intensity between the 20%and 80%motor thresholds.Various frequencies(2,15,50,100,10000 Hz,and 2/100 Hz dense-dispersed)of SCS were similarly effective.SCS-induced analgesia was maintained without tolerance within 24 h of continuous stimulation.SCS at 2 Hz significantly increased methionine enkephalin content in the cerebrospinal fluid.The analgesic effect of 2 Hz was abolished byμorκopioid receptor antagonist.The effect of 100 Hz was prevented by aκantagonist,and that of 10 kHz was blocked by any of theμ,δ,orκreceptor antagonists,suggesting that the analgesic effect of SCS at different frequencies is mediated by different endorphins and opioid receptors.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(Nos.2007CB512501,2009CB522003).
文摘Drug addiction is a chronic brain disorder characterized by withdrawal symptoms that occur during drug abstinence and a high tendency of relapse.Compared with the currently available pharmacological interventions,acupuncture therapy has the potential to help drug addicts stay away from drugs without major adverse side effects.It has taken decades of research to optimize the parameters of electrical acupoint stimulation for detoxification and for relapse prevention,as well as to establish a safe and easy procedure by which drug addicts can use it on themselves.The discovery that acupuncture can trigger the release of opioid substances from the brain in the 1970s provided the inspiration.Following this,basic research on animals made it possible to understand the mechanisms of action and establish the procedure for treating drug addictions.This article reviews the past,present,and foreseeable future regarding the use of acupuncture-related technique for the treatment of opiate addiction from the perspective of translational medicine.