High-frequency electroacupuncture versus carprofen in an incisional pain model in rats

• Published in: Brazilian journal of medical and biological research Vol. 45; no. 12; pp. 1209 - 1214
• Main Authors: F.M. Teixeira, L.L. Castro, R.T. Ferreira, P.A. Pires, F.A. Vanderlinde, M.A. Medeiros
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Associação Brasileira de Divulgação Científica 01.12.2012
• Subjects: Acupuncture; Hyperalgesia; Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory; Plantar incision; Zusanli point
• ISSN: 0100-879X; 1414-431X

The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) and carprofen (CP) on postoperative incisional pain using the plantar incision (PI) model in rats. A 1-cm longitudinal incision was made through skin, fascia and muscles of a hind paw of male Wistar rats and the development of mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity was determined over 4 days using the von Frey and Hargreaves methods, respectively. Based on the experimental treatments received on the third postoperative day, the animals were divided into the following groups: PI+CP (CP, 2 mg/kg, po); PI+EAST36 (100-Hz EA applied bilaterally at the Zusanli point (ST36)); PI+EANP (EA applied to a non-acupoint region); PI+IMMO (immobilization only); PI (vehicle). In the von Frey test, the PI+EAST36 group had higher withdrawal force thresholds in response to mechanical stimuli than the PI, PI+IMMO and PI+EANP groups at several times studied. Furthermore, the PI+EAST36 group showed paw withdrawal thresholds in response to mechanical stimuli that were similar to those of the PI+CP group. In the Hargreaves test, all groups had latencies higher than those observed with PI. The PI+EAST36 group was similar to the PI+IMMO, PI+EANP and PI+CP groups. We conclude that 100-Hz EA at the ST36 point, but not at non-acupoints, can reduce mechanical nociception in the rat model of incisional pain, and its effectiveness is comparable to that of carprofen.