Preproopiomelanocortin and preprodynorphin mRNA expressions in rat brain after electroacupuncture + droperidol
Abstract
AIM: To study the expression of preproopiomelanocortin (POMC) and preprodynorphin
(PPD) mRNA following the combination of electroacupuncture (EA) with droperidol
(Dro), a dopamine receptor antagonist.
METHODS: The brains and spinal cords of Sprague-Dawley rats were sectioned after
combination of EA with Dro, and the gene expression was investigated using
nonradioactive in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH).
RESULTS: Ten hours after EA, the POMC mRNA expression was enhanced; the
expression was further enhanced when EA was combined with Dro. The expression of
PPD mRNA showed regional difference in central nervous system (CNS): in spinal
cord, EA enhanced the PPD mRNA expression and the combination of EA with Dro
further promoted the expression; in the brain, the PPD mRNA expression after EA
or combination of EA with Dro showed no obvious change in most regions
(caudate-putamen, accumbens, arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus) or was decreased in
supraoptic nucleus.
CONCLUSION: Dro combined with EA promoted the expression of POMC mRNA in CNS and
PPD mRNA in spinal cord, but reduced or had no effect on PPD mRNA expression in
the brain.
Keywords:
(PPD) mRNA following the combination of electroacupuncture (EA) with droperidol
(Dro), a dopamine receptor antagonist.
METHODS: The brains and spinal cords of Sprague-Dawley rats were sectioned after
combination of EA with Dro, and the gene expression was investigated using
nonradioactive in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH).
RESULTS: Ten hours after EA, the POMC mRNA expression was enhanced; the
expression was further enhanced when EA was combined with Dro. The expression of
PPD mRNA showed regional difference in central nervous system (CNS): in spinal
cord, EA enhanced the PPD mRNA expression and the combination of EA with Dro
further promoted the expression; in the brain, the PPD mRNA expression after EA
or combination of EA with Dro showed no obvious change in most regions
(caudate-putamen, accumbens, arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus) or was decreased in
supraoptic nucleus.
CONCLUSION: Dro combined with EA promoted the expression of POMC mRNA in CNS and
PPD mRNA in spinal cord, but reduced or had no effect on PPD mRNA expression in
the brain.