beta-endorphin and Spinal-Diseases

To explore the analgesic mechanism of small knife needle for treating transverse process syndrome of the third vertebra (TPSTV) by observing peripheral and central changesof β-endorphin (β-EP) and enkephalin (ENK) contents.. Totally 30 Japanese white big-ear rabbits of clean grade were divided into 5 groups according to random digit table, i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the small knife needle group, the electroacupunture (EA) group, and the small knife needle plus EA group, 6 in each group. The TPSTV model was established by inserting a piece of gelatin sponge into the left transverse process of 3rd lumbar vertebrae. Rabbits in the small knife needlegroup were intervened by small knife needle. Those in the EA group were intervened by EA at bilateralWeizhong (BL40). Those in the small knife needle plus EA group were intervened by small knife needleand EA at bilateral Weizhong (BL40). Contents of β-EP and ENK in plasma, muscle, spinal cord, and hypothalamus were determined after sample collection at day 28 after modeling.. Compared with the normal control group, contents of β-EP and ENK in plasma and muscle increased significantly, and contents of β-EP and ENK in spinal cord and hypothalamus decreased significantly in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Contents of β-EP and ENK approximated normal levels in the three treatment groups after respective treatment. Compared with the model group, the content of β-EP in muscle decreased, and contents of β-EP and ENK in hypothalamus increased in the three treatment groups after respective treatment (P < 0.05). There were no significant difference among the three treatment groups (P > 0.05).. Small knife needle treatment and EA had benign regulation on peripheral and central β-EP and ENK in TPSTV rabbits. Small knife needle treatment showed better effect than that of EA.

Topics: Acupuncture Points; Animals; beta-Endorphin; Electroacupuncture; Enkephalins; Hypothalamus; Lumbar Vertebrae; Muscle, Skeletal; Needles; Rabbits; Random Allocation; Spinal Cord; Spinal Diseases

To explore the long-term effects and pain relief mechanism of acupotomy by observing changes in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) in the hypothalamus, spinal cord, and peripheral blood of rats with third lumbar vertebrae (L3) transverse process syndrome.. Twenty-eight SD rats were randomly assigned to normal, model, electroacupuncture (EA), and acupotomy group. The last three groups were put through an operation to emulate L3 transverse process syndrome. Fourteen days after the simulation operation, EA and acupotomy treatments were applied to the respective groups. Fifty-six days after the simulation operation, biochemistry tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to measure NOS and beta-EP in the hypothalamus, spinal cord, and peripheral blood.. Rats with the simulation operation showed significantly higher levels of NOS and beta-EP in the hypothalamus, spinal cord, and peripheral blood than those in the normal group. The EA and acupotomy groups had significantly lower levels of NOS and beta-EP than those in the model group. There was no statistical difference between the EA and acupotomy groups.. EA and acupotomy treatments significantly lowered NOS and beta-EP levels in the hypothalamus, spinal cord, and peripheral blood and alleviated L3 transverse process syndrome.

Topics: Animals; beta-Endorphin; Humans; Hypothalamus; Lumbar Vertebrae; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Spinal Cord; Spinal Diseases

Topics: beta-Endorphin; Humans; Male; Manipulation, Orthopedic; Spinal Diseases

Topics: Adult; Animals; beta-Endorphin; Brain; Brain Chemistry; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Chronic Disease; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Endorphins; Humans; Middle Aged; Pain; Pituitary Gland; Rabbits; Spinal Diseases; Time Factors; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

Beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (i beta-EP) was measured in the CSF at myelography of 24 patients suspected of vertebral disk disease. Patients made several ratings of mood and pain for the 24 hours preceding myelography. Composite scores for pain, negative mood, and positive mood were derived by factor analysis. Pain Factor scores were negatively correlated with i beta-EP (r = -0.59, p less than 0.001), indicating a possible role for i beta-EP in the perception of the severity of pain. No significant correlation was shown between Positive or Negative Mood Factor scores and CSF i beta-EP. A physiologic indicator of pain severity is discussed.

Topics: beta-Endorphin; Emotions; Endorphins; Humans; Intervertebral Disc; Pain; Spinal Diseases