Objective To observe the effect of acupotomy lysis(AL) on hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin(POMC) mRNA and preproenkephalin(PPE) mRNA expression in rats with the third lumbar vertebrae transverse process syndrome(TLVTPS) so as to study its underlying mechanism in relieving symptoms of lumbar muscle strain.Methods Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group

model group

AL group and electroacupunture(EA) group.The TLVTPS model was established by inserting a piece of gelatin sponge into the posterior of the left 3rd lumbar vertebrae transverse process.AL and EA were applied to the left "Shenshu"(BL 23) and "Yaoyangguan"(GV 3) respectively.The POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA expression levels in the hypothalamus were detected by in situ hybridization.Results In comparison with the normal group

the integrated optical density(IOD) values of hypothalamic POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA positive cells in the model group were increased significantly(P<0.01);while compared with the model group

those of POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA positive cells in both left and right hypothalamus were increased further considerably in both AL and EA groups(P<0.01).No significant diffe-rences were found between AL and EA groups in POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA expression levels(P>0.05).Conclusion AL and EA therapies can increase the expression of POMC mRNA and PPE mRNA in hypothalamus in rats with TLVTPS

which may contribute to its effect in relieving pain in the treatment of lumbar muscle strain.