Effect of Electroacupuncture on Hyperalgesia and Vasoactive Neurotransmitters in a Rat Model of Conscious Recurrent Migraine
Figure 1
Overview of the dura mater and its associated constituents and diagram of the experimental protocol. (a) Overview of the dural vessels, perivascular nerves, and neurotransmitters. CGRP: calcitonin gene-related peptide; PACAP: pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide; NO: nitric oxide; SP: substance P; NPY: neuropeptide Y; VIP: vasoactive intestinal peptide; ET-1: endothelin-1. (b) Rat schematic showing the location of the acupuncture points used in the present study. GB20: Fengchi, GB34: Yanglingquan; Non-Acu: nonacupuncture point. (c) Photograph of a conscious rat with a wire connection through the rubber tubing between the electrode and an electrical stimulator. (d) Rats received dural electrical stimulation (DES) every other day from Day 1 to Day 7 (on Days 1, 3, 5, and 7). Electroacupuncture (or nonacupuncture point acupuncture) was performed daily from Day 1 to Day 7 in each group following the DES. On the 7th day (Day 0) after surgery and the next day following the final DES session (Day 8), baseline and postintervention withdrawal thresholds were measured in conscious rats. On Days 1, 3, 5, and 7, facial and hind-paw withdrawal thresholds, tail-flick, and hot-plate latencies were measured in conscious rats following EA treatment. Tissue samples were collected after the final behavioral test.