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. 2011:2011:730514.
doi: 10.1093/ecam/nen043. Epub 2011 Aug 9.

Electroacupuncture of 2 hz has a rewarding effect: evidence from a conditioned place preference study in rats

Wei Xia  1 , Ning-Ning Chu, Jing Liang, Yi-Jing Li, Rong Zhang, Ji-Sheng Han, Cai-Lian Cui
Affiliations

Electroacupuncture of 2 hz has a rewarding effect: evidence from a conditioned place preference study in rats

Wei Xia et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011.

Abstract

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been used to suppress heroin craving in addicts and the conditioned place preference (CPP) for morphine in the rat. The question remained whether EA by itself will produce some rewarding effect. This was investigated using the CPP procedure in the present study. The results indicated that rats showed a significant preference to the 2 Hz EA-paired compartment. This rewarding effect of EA was prevented by pre-treatment with the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone [2 mg kg(-1), intraperitoneally (i.p.)], CB1 cannabinoid antagonist AM251 (3 μg per rat, intracerebroventricularly) or D1 dopamine receptor antagonist SCH23390 (0.1 mg kg(-1), i.p.), respectively. TempspacetempspaceIt is concluded that 2 Hz EA is capable of inducing CPP in the rat via the activation of the endogenous opioid-, cannabinoid- and dopamine-systems.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CPP induced by EA. *P <  .05, compared with the blank group; # P <  .05, compared with the restraint group (n = 12–15). One-way ANOVA followed by Student-Newman-Keul's test.
Figure 2
Figure 2
EA-induced CPP in rats was suppressed by naloxone (2 mg/kg). **P <  .01, compared with saline + EA group; # P <  .05, compared with the restraint group; (n = 10–15). One-way ANOVA followed by Student-Newman-Keul's test.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The first column is a control group. The dose “0” means i.c.v. DMSO as a solvent of AM251. EA-induced CPP blocked by i.c.v. injection of AM251 at 3 μg, but not 0.3 and 1.0 μg dose. *P <  .05, compared with DMSO + EA group; (n = 9–11). One-way ANOVA followed by Student-Newman-Keul's test.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effects of dopamine receptor antagonist on the expression of CPP induced by EA. EA-induced CPP was blocked by D1 receptor antagonist (SCH23390, 0.1 mg kg−1, i.p.), but not by D2 receptor antagonist; (n = 9–12). One-way ANOVA followed by Student-Newman-Keul's test.
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