Effects And Mechanism Of Tramadol Combined With Electro-Acupuncture On A Rat Model Of Neuropathic Pain

Objective:To invesgate the treatment effectiveness and the level of IL-1βand IL-10 in spinal cord of tramadol combined with electro-acupuncture on a rat model of neuropathic pain.Methods:We made the rat model of neuropathic pain by spared nerve injury of sciatic nerve. After 4 days of inuyry, the rats accepted different treatment:tramadol, eletro-acupuncture, tramadol combined with electro-acpuncture and control. We detected the mechanical pain threshold and rest pain induced by cool of rats after 7 days of treatment. We also detected the level of IL-1βand IL-10 in spinal cord simultaneously.Results:(1) Compared with only tramadol or eletcro-acupuncture, tramadol combined with electro-acupuncture had a better analgesic effect on a rat model of neuropathic pain. It could reduce rat's the frequency of foot-raising in cool board and improve its 50% retraction threshold after 7 days of treatment. (2) The electro-acupuncture did not affect the level of IL-1βin the spinal cord. (3) The electro-acupuncture could elevate the level of IL-10 in the spinal cord. And it had synergistic effect with tramadol.Conclusions:Therapeutic alliance of tramadol combined with electro-acupuncture have stronger analgesic effect than the single therapy. The electro-acupuncture can elevate the level of IL-10 in the spinal cord and it have synergistic effect with tramadol.