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KMID : 1129720010180020057
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Korean Journal of Acupuncture
2001 Volume.18 No. 2 p.57 ~ p.72
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The Effects of Acupuncture (ST36) on Repeated Nicotine-induced Behavioral Sensitization and C-Fos Expression in the Nucleus Accumbens of the Rats
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Chae Youn-Byoung
Lee Hye-Jung
Yang Chae-Ha
Kim Mi-Ryeo
Kim Kwang-Joong
Shim In-Sop
Kwon Young-Kyu
Hahm Dae-Hyun
Hwang E.J.
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Abstract
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We have previously demonstrated that repeated injections of nicotine produced an increase in locomotor activity, dopamine (DA) release and c-Fos expression in the nucleus accumbens, one of the major projection areas of the central DA system. Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely used for the treatment of many functional disorders such as substance abuse and mental dysfunction. In order to investigate whether acupuncture has an influence on nicotine-induced reinforcing and behavioral effects, we examined the effect of acupuncture on nicotine-induced behavioral locomotor activity and c-Fos expression as an important marker of the postsynaptic neuronal activity in the nucleus accumbens utilizing the immunocytochemical detection of the Fos protein. The male Sprague-Dawly rats were given repeated daily nicotine injections (0.4 mg/kg s.c., twice daily for 7 days) followed by one challenging injection on the 4th day after the last daily injection. Systemic challenge with nicotine produced a much larger increase in locomotor activity and accumbal Fos-like immunoreactivity(FLI) in nicotine-pretreated rats. During withdrawal period(from 8th day to 11th day) acupuncture at zusanli(ST36), but not at control points(HT7, L3) significantly attenuated expected increase in nicotine-induced locomtor activity and accumbal FLI to subsequent nicotine challenge. These results demonstrated that reduction in locomotor activity by acupuncture may be mediated by reduction of postsynaptic neuronal activity in the nucleus accumbens. Our results suggest that acupuncture may have therapeutic effect on nicotine addiction.
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KEYWORD
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Acupuncture, Nicotine, Behavioral sensitization, C-Fos, Nucleus accumbens, Addiction
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