P01: Project 2
Abstract
Acupuncture is a therapeutic modality in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) system and has been used for a variety of symptoms and diseases including arthritis and related disorders. The proposed research project will investigate the mechanism of action that electroacupuncture (EA) exerts on the central nervous system (CNS). Previous studies have discovered that (EA) showed both early and prolonged anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic effects following an injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA).
The objective of this study is to define the mechanisms of EA's action on the CNS using a rat model of peripheral inflammation and persistent hyperalgesia. Our major hypothesis is that EA activates the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal gland (HPA) axis, particularly hypothalamus, releasing HPA-related neuropeptides and hormones that exert anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic effects.
The specific aims of this proposal are:
Aim I: Characterize the role of the hypothalamus in EA-induced anti-inflammation and anti-hyperalgesia.
Aim II: Define the neural pathways by which EA treatment activates the HPA axis.
Aim III: Define the mechanisms of cytokine in EA-induced anti-inflammation and anti-hyperalgesia activities.
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