Neurochemical research
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Neurochemical research · Nov 2010
Synergetic analgesia of propentofylline and electroacupuncture by interrupting spinal glial function in rats.
Previous studies indicated that disruption of glial function in the spinal cord enhanced electroacupuncture (EA) analgesia in arthritic rats, suggesting glia is involved in processing EA analgesia. To probe into the potential value for clinical practice, the present study was to investigate the effect of propentofylline, a glia inhibitor, on EA analgesia in rats. Mechanical allodynia induced by tetanic stimulation of sciatic nerve (TSS) was used as a pain model. ⋯ The combination of low dosage of propentofylline and EA produced more potent anti-allodynia than propentofylline or EA alone. Immunohistochemistry exhibited that TSS-induced activation of microglia and astrocytes was inhibited significantly by propentofylline. These results indicate that propentofylline and EA induce synergetic analgesia by interrupting spinal glial function.