Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on pain behaviors and expression of spinal dorsal horn melatonin receptor 2(MT2) and interleukin-17(IL-17) in neuropathic pain rats

so as to explore its mechanism underlying pain relief. Methods The present study includes 3 parts. In the first part

eighteen male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation

model and EA groups

with 6 rats in each group. The neuropathic pain model was established by chronic constriction injury(CCI) of the right sciatic nerve. On the 7

(th)

day following modeling

EA was applied to the right “Zusanli”(ST36) and “Sanyinjiao”(SP6)(1 mA

2 Hz/100 Hz) for 30 min. The mechanical pain threshold(MWT) and thermal pain thre-shold(TPT) of the affected limb were detected before modeling

7 days following modeling and 60 min after EA. The expression of MT2 in spinal dorsal horn was detected by Western blot. The contents of melatonin(Mel) and IL-17 in the spinal dorsal horn were determined by ELISA. The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) in the spinal dorsal horn was determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. In the second part

30 rats were divided into 5 groups: sham operation

model

EA

MT2 antagonist(4-P-PDOT)

and dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO) groups

with 6 rats in each group. Rats of the 4-P-PDOT and DMSO groups were intrathecal injection with 10 μL MT2 antagonist 4-P-PDOT(100 μg) and equivalent DMSO 30 min before EA. The MWT and TPT of affected limb were detected. The GFAP expression and IL-17 content in the spinal dorsal horn was detected by Western blot

immunohistochemistry and ELISA

respectively. In the third part

30 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham operation

model

EA

recombinant IL-17

and normal saline groups

with 6 rats in each group. The recombinant IL-17 protein(100 ng

10 μL) and the same amount of 0.9% sodium chloride solution were intrathecal injection into the rats of the recombinant IL-17 group and the normal saline group 30 min before the EA. The MWT and TPT of affected limb were measured. Results On the 7(th) day following modeling

EA was applied to the right “Zusanli”(ST36) and “Sanyinjiao”(SP6)(1 mA

2 Hz/100 Hz) for 30 min. The mechanical pain threshold(MWT) and thermal pain thre-shold(TPT) of the affected limb were detected before modeling

7 days following modeling and 60 min after EA. The expression of MT2 in spinal dorsal horn was detected by Western blot. The contents of melatonin(Mel) and IL-17 in the spinal dorsal horn were determined by ELISA. The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) in the spinal dorsal horn was determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. In the second part

30 rats were divided into 5 groups: sham operation

model

EA

MT2 antagonist(4-P-PDOT)

and dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO) groups

with 6 rats in each group. Rats of the 4-P-PDOT and DMSO groups were intrathecal injection with 10 μL MT2 antagonist 4-P-PDOT(100 μg) and equivalent DMSO 30 min before EA. The MWT and TPT of affected limb were detected. The GFAP expression and IL-17 content in the spinal dorsal horn was detected by Western blot

immunohistochemistry and ELISA

respectively. In the third part

30 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham operation

model

EA

recombinant IL-17

and normal saline groups

with 6 rats in each group. The recombinant IL-17 protein(100 ng

10 μL) and the same amount of 0.9% sodium chloride solution were intrathecal injection into the rats of the recombinant IL-17 group and the normal saline group 30 min before the EA. The MWT and TPT of affected limb were measured. Results On the 7

(th)

day after modeling

the MWT of rats in the model group and the EA group were significantly higher

while TPT were lower than those before the modeling(P

<

0.05). At 60 min after EA

compared with the model group

the MWT and TPT of the EA group reversed significantly(P

<

0.05). The levels of GFAP and IL-17 were significantly increased

while the levels of Mel and MT2 were significantly decreased in the model group than in the sham operation group(P

<

0.05)

and those were considerably reversed in the EA group than in the model group(P

<

0.05). Compared with the EA and DMSO groups

the MWT in the 4-P-PDOT group were significantly increased

while TPT were decreased(P

<

0.05)

and the contents of GFAP and IL-17 were significantly increased(P

<

0.05). Compared to the EA and normal saline groups

MWT of the rats in the recombinant IL-17 group were significantly increased

while TPT decreased(P

<

0.05). Conclusion EA of ST36 and SP6 can alleviate neuropathic pain in CCI rats

which is closely related to its effect in inhibiting the release of IL-17 from astrocytes mediated by MT2.