Relationship between electroacupuncture analgesia and dopamine receptors in nucleus accumbens
Abstract
AIM: To study the roles of dopamine (DA) D1 and D2 receptors in nucleus accumbens
in electroacupuncture analgesia (EAA) and the potentiation of EAA of rats induced
by l-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP), a dopamine receptor antagonist.
METHODS: SK&F-38393 and quinpirole hydrochloride (Qui), highly selective agonists
of D1 and D2 receptors, respectively were injected into nucleus accumbens of
rats.
RESULTS: SK&F-38393 (5 and 10 micrograms) attenuated the potentiation of EAA
induced by l-THP, 10 micrograms SKF38393 attenuated EAA as well, while Qui (10
and 20 micrograms) had no effect on EAA and the potentiation of EAA induced by
l-THP.
CONCLUSION: D1 but not D2 receptor in nucleus accumbens play an important role in
EAA and the potentiation of EAA induced by l-THP.
Keywords:
in electroacupuncture analgesia (EAA) and the potentiation of EAA of rats induced
by l-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP), a dopamine receptor antagonist.
METHODS: SK&F-38393 and quinpirole hydrochloride (Qui), highly selective agonists
of D1 and D2 receptors, respectively were injected into nucleus accumbens of
rats.
RESULTS: SK&F-38393 (5 and 10 micrograms) attenuated the potentiation of EAA
induced by l-THP, 10 micrograms SKF38393 attenuated EAA as well, while Qui (10
and 20 micrograms) had no effect on EAA and the potentiation of EAA induced by
l-THP.
CONCLUSION: D1 but not D2 receptor in nucleus accumbens play an important role in
EAA and the potentiation of EAA induced by l-THP.