Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2013, Vol. 8 ›› Issue (9): 802-808.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.09.004

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Electroacupuncture diminishes P2X2 and P2X3 purinergic receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia of rats with visceral hypersensitivity

Zhijun Weng1, Luyi Wu1, Yuan Lu1, Lidong Wang1, Linying Tan1, Ming Dong1, Yuhu Xin2   

  1. 1 Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
    2 Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China
  • Received:2012-06-18 Revised:2013-02-22 Online:2013-03-25 Published:2013-03-25
  • Contact: Yuhu Xin, M.D., Technician-in- charge, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China, yuhu_xin@ 163.com.
  • About author:Zhijun Weng★, Master. Zhijun Weng and Luyi Wu contributed equally to this paper.
  • Supported by:

    This project was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30973783; the Shanghai Municipal Scientific Committee Project, No. 11ZR1434300; and the Key Subject Program of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

PDF

1093

Abstract:

Electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu (ST37) and Tianshu (ST25) can improve visceral hypersensitivity in rats. Colorectal distension was used to establish a rat model of chronic visceral hypersensitivity. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia from rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity. Results demonstrated that abdominal withdrawal reflex scores obviously increased following establishment of the model, indicating visceral hypersensitivity. Simultaneously, P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression increased in dorsal root ganglia. After bilateral electroacupuncture at Shangjuxu and Tianshu, abdominal withdrawal reflex scores and P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression decreased in rats with visceral hypersensitivity. These results indicated that electroacupuncture treatment improved visceral hypersensitivity in rats with irritable bowel syndrome by reducing P2X2 and P2X3 receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia.

Key words: neural regeneration, acupuncture and moxibustion, P2X2, P2X3, visceral hypersensitivity, irritable bowel syndrome, electroacupuncture, P2 purinergic receptors, abdominal withdrawal reflex scores, acupuncture and moxibustion, peripheral nerve injury, grants-supported paper, photographs- containing paper, neuroregeneration