Objective To observe changes of SP and CCK-8 contents in the hypothalamus and spinal cord after performing acupotomy lysis so as to study its central analgesic effect in rats with transverse-process syndrome of the third lumbar vertebra.Methods Twenty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group

model group

acupotomy lysis group and electroacupuncture(EA) group

with 7 cases in each one.The model of the third lumbar vertebra transverse process syndrome was established by inserting a piece of gelatin sponge into the deep subfascial part of the 3rd lumbar transverse process.Acupotomy lysis was conducted 1 time/week for 2 weeks.EA(2/100 Hz

1-2 mA) was applied to the left "Shenshu"(BL 23)-"Yaoyangguan"(GV 3) for 20 min/time

3 times/week and for 2 weeks.SP and CCK-8 contents in the hypothalamus and spinal cord were detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results In model group

SP and CCK-8 contents in the hypothalamus and spinal cord were increased significantly in comparison with normal control group(P<0.01).Compared with model group

both SP and CCK-8 contents in hypothalamus and SP content in spinal cord in acupotomy lysis and EA groups were apparently lower(P<0.01

0.05).CCK-8 content in spinal cord in cupotomy lysis group was lower markedly than that of model group(P<0.01)

while no significant difference was found between model group and EA group in CCK-8 level in spinal cord(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupotomy lysis can downregulate SP and CCK-8 contents in hypothalamus and spinal cord

which may contribute to its effect in relieving pain from transverse process syndrome of the third lumbar vertebra.