主题：【原创】关于针灸问题的基点说明 -- 虽远必诛

Adenosine A1 receptors mediate local anti-nociceptive effects of acupuncture

Journal name:

Nature Neuroscience

Year published:

(2010)

DOI:

doi:10.1038/nn.2562

Received

16 March 2010

Accepted

27 April 2010

Published online

30 May 2010

Abstract

Acupuncture is an invasive procedure commonly used to relieve pain. Acupuncture is practiced worldwide, despite difficulties in reconciling its principles with evidence-based medicine. We found that adenosine, a neuromodulator with anti-nociceptive properties, was released during acupuncture in mice and that its anti-nociceptive actions required adenosine A1 receptor expression. Direct injection of an adenosine A1 receptor agonist replicated the analgesic effect of acupuncture. Inhibition of enzymes involved in adenosine degradation potentiated the acupuncture-elicited increase in adenosine, as well as its anti-nociceptive effect. These observations indicate that adenosine mediates the effects of acupuncture and that interfering with adenosine metabolism may prolong the clinical benefit of acupuncture.