Quantitative research on analgesic effects of electroacupuncture at multiple factors parameters in rats of adjuvant-induced arthritis

Abstract

Objective: To research into the best parameters plan of electroacupuncture for treating pain in rats of adjuvant- induced arthritis (AA). Methods: One hundred and twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 12 groups. Rats of AA arthritis were treated by electroacupuncture at different frequencies, waveforms and current. The analgesia effects of these groups were compared by orthogonal experiment and so on. Pain threshold and the contents of β-EP in local tissues of inflammation were observed. Parameters of electroacupuncture were measured. Results: Optimized parameters plan of raising pain thresholds was: 100Hz, 0.1mA, intermittent wave. Electroacupuncture at 100Hz was prior to that at 2 Hz in increasing the contents of β-EP. Difference of analgesic effects of electroacupuncture between 4/20Hz, 0.1mA,dense-disperse wave and 100Hz, 0.1mA, intermittent wave on inflammatory pain in rats had no statistics significance (P>0.05). Conclusions: Optimized parameters plan of electroacupuncture should be selected in treating pain in rats of AA. Quantization and standardization of electroacupunture should be further enhanced. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.