Study on the involvement of primary motor cortex in the electroacupuncture-induced analgesic and anxiolytic effects
10.16557/j.cnki.1000-7547.2025.01.001
- VernacularTitle:初级运动皮质介导电针镇痛和抗焦虑的作用研究
- Author:
Ruoxin JI
1
;
Yang TANG
;
Zhicheng TIAN
;
Hui DING
;
Xinjiang YANG
;
Xiangchen LI
;
Fei WANG
;
Ceng LUO
Author Information
1. 陕西中医药大学针灸推拿学院,咸阳 712000;空军军医大学基础医学院神经生物学教研室,西安 710032
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
electroacupuncture(EA);
chronic pain;
primary motor cortex(M1);
glutamatergic neurons;
anxiety;
mouse
- From:
Chinese Journal of Neuroanatomy
2025;41(1):1-8
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To observe the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture(EA)stimulation on chronic pain and associated negative emotions,and to investigate the activity changes of glutamatergic neurons in the primary motor cortex(M1)following EA stimulation.Methods:Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups:sham surgery(Sham),pure electroacupuncture stimulation(EA),nerve injury(SNI)and electroacupuncture treatment of nerve injury(SNI+EA).Thirty days after the SNI model establishment,EA stimulation was administered bilaterally to the Zusanli(ST36)acupoints in mice.von Frey filaments and Hargreaves heat sensitivity testing were used to detect mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia.The elevated plus maze test was conducted to assess the impact on anxiety-like behaviors in mice.Dual immunofluorescence staining was employed to observe changes in c-Fos expression in M1 gluta-matergic neurons.Results:As compared to Sham group,SNI-treated mice exhibited significant mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in bilateral hindpaws at 30 days post-modeling(P＜0.01)and displayed obvious anxiety-like behaviors(P＜0.01).The SNI+EA group showed significant relief in pain and anxiety-like behaviors(P＜0.01).c-Fos expression in M1 glutamatergic neurons was significantly decreased in SNI mice.Conversely,after electroacupuncture(EA)treatment,compared to the SNI group,M1 glutamatergic neurons in the SNI+EA group showed significantly in-creased c-Fos expression(P＜0.01).Conclusion:Electroacupuncture significantly alleviated chronic pain and associ-ated anxiety-like behaviors induced by SNI,which might involve the activation of glutamatergic neurons in the M1 in this process.
